Labour Deputy Leader Angela Rayner has vowed that her party will be the unwavering “champion” for tenants, as she launched a scathing critique of letting agents and landlords.
Rayner, who also serves as the Shadow Housing Secretary, emphasized that renters would see significant improvements under a Labour government. Central to this promise is the immediate prohibition of Section 21 “no-fault” evictions, which have long been a contentious issue for tenants facing sudden displacement.
“The Tories have failed to stand up for renters,” Rayner declared, according to The Independent. She criticized the Conservative government for its repeated inaction on critical issues affecting renters, from the persistent use of no-fault evictions to the prevalence of damp, cold, and mouldy homes.
“Call Time on Tory Failures”
“Time and time again, the Tories have failed to stand up for renters,” Rayner stated. “From endless delays to no-fault evictions, to failure to sort out damp, cold, and mouldy homes, the Conservatives are failing working people.”
Rayner assured that Labour’s plans are designed to support responsible landlords while targeting those who exploit tenants. “Labour will call time on a decade of Tory vested interest and put renters first,” she asserted. “Our plans will support good landlords, but we are calling time on unscrupulous landlords strangling growth.”
Action Against Rental Bidding Wars and Poor Housing Conditions
Rayner also pledged to tackle “rental bidding wars,” though specifics on how this would be achieved remain unclear. Additionally, Labour plans to introduce new protections against poor living conditions, including damp and mould in private rented sector (PRS) homes.
Building More Homes to Reduce Rent Costs
Highlighting a long-term solution to housing affordability, Rayner emphasized the need to increase housing supply. “The only real way to make renting more affordable is to build more homes,” she said. “That’s why we have a plan to build 1.5 million homes over five years as an antidote to Britain’s failing private rented sector.”
As the debate over housing policies intensifies, Rayner’s announcements position Labour as a party ready to implement significant reforms to benefit renters and address the housing crisis head-on.