Helplines swamped as new rental laws with £40k fines spark alarm among ‘fearful’ landlords | Politics | News
Landlords concerned about changes, according to homeowners association (Image: Getty)
Helplines supporting UK homeowners have been overwhelmed ahead of the controversial new law coming into force. The National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA), which represents more than 100,000 landlords, has received record call numbers ahead of the Tenants Bill of Rights, which kicks in Friday.
Chief executive Ben Beadle told the Express there were at least 1,200 calls and messages from “fearful” landlords in the days the new law was introduced; This is more than three times the normal amount. The Tenants’ Rights Act provides stronger rights and protections for millions of private tenants across the UK, including an end to Section 21 “no fault” evictions. Mr Beadle said NRLA members were “concerned” about the change, with tougher fines of up to £40,000 being imposed on those who break the new rules.
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Tenants in the private rented sector have stronger rights thanks to new law (Image: Getty)
He said the NLRA was “struggling to keep up” with the nearly 1,000 calls a day it was receiving before the new law went into effect.
“Them [landlords] they are afraid of changes and they are afraid of the consequences of getting it wrong and they are looking for reassurance from the NRLA that they are doing things right.
“They don’t care about the changes, they see the changes and want to be good and harmonious landlords, but they are afraid.”
He added: “To be fair, I think they have every right to be afraid in this brave new world.
“I would hope that the thought of the change would be much worse than the reality, but for some landlords, if you get a bad tenant and you can’t evict your tenant in time, that will be problematic, and I think that’s what investors are afraid of.”
Mr Beadle singled out student landlords as among those most affected, saying the removal of fixed term was “absolutely disastrous”.
James Gater, who has a portfolio of student accommodation in Southampton, said he was concerned about the new rules.
The landlord of 22 years said the Tenants’ Rights Act “is contrary to free market economics.”
He described it as a “supply-side economics initiative” where the government and local authorities should instead focus on building more homes to improve the housing crisis.
Mr Gater warned that this situation would get worse and noted that the weakening of homeowners’ rights was a particular concern.
“I really think this is a very dangerous turn for the country,” he added, saying the private rented sector had “a very important role to play” in society at large.
Labor has praised the Tenants’ Rights Act as “the most historic changes to private renting” in the UK.
The end of the so-called “no fault” rule means private landlords will no longer be able to evict tenants without a valid reason.
Landlords must also reasonably consider tenants’ requests to live with pets.
Other changes include a move away from fixed contracts; Instead, tenancies in the private rented sector will continue on a month-to-month or week-to-week basis, giving tenants greater flexibility. Tenants can terminate the contract by giving two months’ notice.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said his Government was delivering on its promise to “fix a broken rental system”.
“This historic action will make renting fairer, safer and more secure for millions of people so they can settle down, put down roots and build their lives,” he said.
