Last Wednesday 22nd October Marcus Selmon Chair of PLAN ( Portfolio Landlords Action Network) went to the House of Commons to meet Kevin Hollinrake MP Chair of the Conservative Party and former Shadow Housing Secretary.
The purpose was to host a meeting of PLAN to discuss the Conservative Party’s view of the Renters Rights Act. This is part of PLAN’s aim to have a voice in the upcoming debate on the Renters Rights Act . Because we believe this Act is not the end of the debate but the beginning as we see the impact the Act will have on the Private Rented Sector and it dawns on all parties that this is not going to work as enacted. What has been missing from the debate throughout is a PLAN for the sector that works for both Tenants AND Landlords.
At the meeting it became clear that despite the history of this Act and the role taken by the Conservatives (and in particular Michael Gove) to bring about these reforms there is now doubt about these measures. In particular Kevin believes s21 should not have been abolished and believes that bringing in the Act before the Courts are ready is completely the wrong move. A full explanation of the Conservative position and a lively debate between Kevin and members attending followed and a number of interesting points came out.
Our hope now is that as the Official Opposition they can lead the process of ensuring that these rules do not destroy the sector and lead to the worst of all results not for Landlords BUT FOR TENANTS. Because counter intuitively it is actually Tenants who are likely to suffer as a result of this Act. If the number of properties dry up, if Landlords impose very high standards of Tenant Selection, if Landlords start to sell up en masse then many Tenants will find it impossible to find properties to rent and those available are likely to be at even higher rents than today. Because Landlords will have to find the resources to pay for the cost of all the new measures being imposed. For some Tenants these rules may assist but the fear is this will be far outweighed by those who will suffer.
If you are interesting in following PLAN or even in joining us then please sign up for our newsletter here P.L.A.N or contact us on admin@planlandlords.co.uk if you have 75 plus properties and wish to join other Landlords like yourself. Please note soon we will be setting up an Associate Membership for Landlords with 10 properties or more. We look forward to hearing from you .