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Government to try again on revenge evictions despite defeat of Bill
The Government is to try to revive attempts to outlaw so-called revenge evictions.
After the defeat of Sarah Teather’s Tenancies (Reform) Bill a week ago, the Government is tabling an amendment to the Deregulation Bill.
Teather’s Private Member’s Bill had full government backing and yet was talked out by two backbench Tory MPs last Friday.
Now, however, there is to be an amendment to a different Bill, to be heard in January.
The amendment – whose wording we have not seen – appears to prevent the eviction of tenants who have complained about the state of their properties.
The latest move appears to be a cross between a U-turn, a dressing down of government whips – and an acknowledgement that Teather’s Bill was not quite right.
Housing minister Brandon Lewis said yesterday: “The Government backs measures to tackle retaliatory evictions.
“We are happy to work with Parliamentary colleagues to see how this legislation could be reintroduced, and ensure that the technical detail is given full and careful scrutiny to avoid any adverse effect on the overwhelming majority of responsible landlords in the private rented sector.”
The Residential Landlords Association criticised the amendment as “the wrong response”.
The RLA said the amendment would “prevent landlords from regaining possession of their property when tenants don’t pay rent or commit anti-social behaviour, and claim for spurious repairs”.
Commenting on the amendment, Alan Ward, chairman of the RLA, said: “The RLA shares concerns about the need to tackle retaliatory evictions and condemns any landlord who engages in such practices.
“Rather than pile yet more regulations on the sector, what is needed is better enforcement of existing powers which hard-pressed councils already find difficult to enforce.
“Tenants need better information about their rights and responsibilities. That would give many the confidence to complain about a minority of landlords who have no place in the private rented sector.”
http://www.propertyindustryeye.com/government-try-revenge-evictions-despite-bills-defeat/
