In an astonishing move that extends beyond the original Renters Reform Bill, the Generation Rent group has unveiled new demands aiming to significantly curtail landlords’ rights.
Led by Chief Executive Ben Twomey, a former Labour local candidate, the group’s latest manifesto is intended for the next government. It closely aligns with recent Labour proposals for the private rental sector, with a particular focus on reducing landlords’ eviction powers.
A key demand is that landlords must offer tenants the first refusal on a property before initiating an eviction. Additionally, landlords would need to prove to a court that their intention to move or sell is genuine, with all evictions becoming discretionary.
The manifesto also suggests a two-year no-let period for properties where evictions have occurred. This measure, the group claims, would deter landlords from evicting tenants unjustly.
Generation Rent highlights that “last year, 300,000 tenants were evicted after challenging unaffordable rent increases.” They argue this trend demonstrates that without proper safeguards, landlords could exploit rent hikes to circumvent the upcoming ban on Section 21 no-fault evictions. To address this, they propose capping in-tenancy rent increases to prevent landlords from forcing tenants out through financial pressure.
Further, the manifesto calls for a 24-month no-let period on properties where landlords claim to be selling or moving in a relative to ensure these claims are not misused. If a tenant wishes to remain during a sale, landlords and mortgage lenders would be required to sell with the tenant in situ if the buyer is another landlord. For owner-occupier purchases, the same two-year no-let rule would apply.
The rest of the Generation Rent manifesto echoes the principles of the Renters Reform Bill. Among the notable demands are:
- Ending Unfair Evictions: An end to Section 21 no-fault evictions to provide renters with greater security.
- Stamp Out Illegal Evictions: Legal duties and adequate resources for local councils to investigate and prosecute illegal evictions.
- Open-Ended Tenancies: Ensuring all tenancies are open-ended, allowing tenants to stay as long as they wish or leave when necessary.
- Safe, Healthy, and Decent Homes: Uniform legal standards for safety and quality across all housing tenures, including temporary accommodation.
- Landlord Register: Mandatory national registration for all private landlords, agents, and rented properties.
- Rent Controls: Measures to make homes affordable, addressing the financial hardship caused by high rents.
- Deposit Reform: Implementing a passporting system to enable automatic transfer of deposit values between tenancies.
- Green Homes: Upgrading all rented homes to at least an Energy Performance Certificate rating of C, tackling fuel poverty.
- Supportive Welfare System: Unfreezing Local Housing Allowance to ensure immediate support for tenants in need.
- Tenant Control Over Homes: Simplifying access to Disabled Facilities Grants, especially for elderly and disabled tenants.
- End Discrimination in Renting: Abolishing ‘Right to Rent’ and nationality requirements for social housing, eliminating immigration checks from licensing and enforcement.
- Right to Organise: Protecting tenants’ rights to join unions without facing retaliation, and ensuring unions have a voice in government decisions affecting renters.
- Access to Justice: Restoring and extending legal aid for housing cases, including those challenging disrepair.
This comprehensive manifesto signals Generation Rent’s determination to reshape the rental landscape, ensuring greater protections and rights for tenants across the UK.