Labour vows to ban 'no-fault' evictions and reform private renting
The Labour Party has pledged to ban 'no-fault' evictions and introduce comprehensive rental reform for private tenants, as well as build more social and affordable homes, at its conference in Liverpool.
Angela Rayner, the deputy Labour leader, told delegates that the party would 'finish the job' of ending Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions, which allow landlords to evict tenants without giving a reason.
She also criticised the Conservative government for failing to deliver the Renters (Reform) Bill, which was announced in 2019 but has yet to get a second reading.
'Rents skyrocketing. Mortgages soaring'
Ms Rayner told delegates: "Rents skyrocketing. Mortgages soaring. The Prime Minister's speech didn't even mention 'housing' once.
"No doubt that's because his housing policy is the same as his new smoking policy – increase the price year on year, so eventually no one can buy!"
She said that Labour would provide stability and certainty for the affordable and social housing market, and that social and council houses were not 'just a nice add on'.
'Simply on keeping a roof over your head'
Ms Rayner said: “But Conference, good wages and protections aren't enough if every penny goes simply on keeping a roof over your head, if you live in damp, cramped housing – or have no home at all.
"Safe, secure, affordable housing is no longer the foundation on which people can rely.
"Too many people are stuck paying unaffordable private rents. Or living the nightmare of a home wrapped in flammable cladding.
"That's why we will get social homes built, brick by brick."
Ms Rayner also promised that Labour would reform the leasehold system and give first-time buyers 'first dibs' on new developments.
Labour would also introduce a mortgage guarantee scheme for those who could not rely on the 'Bank of Mum and Dad'.
Labour leader did not mention the private rented sector
Keir Starmer, the Labour leader, did not mention the private rented sector (PRS) in his speech to the conference, but he promised to build one and a half million new homes across the country.
He also slammed 'land-bankers sitting comfortably on brownfield sites while rents in their community rise'.
He said that Labour would create new development corporations with the power to remove the blockages that prevent housing from being built.
And Mr Starmer also pledged to invest in new infrastructure to support families and communities, such as roads, tunnels and power stations.
He explained: "It's time to get Britain building again. It's time to build opportunities for first time buyers in every community."
Labour would go further than the Renters (Reform) Bill
However, a fringe meeting on housing held earlier by Labour List, a news site, revealed that Labour would go further than the Renters (Reform) Bill in regulating the PRS.
Matthew Pennycook, the Shadow Minister for Housing and Planning, said that the Renters (Reform) Bill is a 'good starting point' but needs to go further.
He said that the Bill's loopholes needed to be closed - including unaffordable rent rises which cause 'economic evictions'.
'Wasn't a lot to enjoy for landlords at the Labour Party conference '
The managing director of Accommodation for Students, Simon Thompson, said: "There wasn't a lot to enjoy for landlords at the Labour Party conference and no one would have been surprised at what was said.
"The fact is that Labour will either help the Conservatives get the Renters (Reform) Bill over the line, or they will do it with various additions.
"It's apparent that no one in either Labour or the Conservatives understands the private rented sector and they don't understand the implications of what will happen should the Bill become law."
He added: "Let's see what happens over the coming months but everything looks like improving the lot of tenants with landlords barely being considered."
