Do you think Labour’s new crackdown on heartless landlords goes far enough?
MPs are set to vote on the Renters Rights bill this Tuesday, which aims to stop landlords from chasing grieving families for rent payments after a tenant has passed away. Other measures include a ban on no-fault evictions and to force landlords to deal with health hazards like damp and mould.
“It breaks my heart to think that there are grieving families out there being heartlessly pursued for rent payments by landlords who are aware of the sad circumstances,” said Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner. And who can blame her? It’s a truly awful situation.
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One story brought up in Parliament last year really highlights the issue. A first-year university student had taken on a private tenancy for the following year, but tragically took their own life. The family, acting as the guarantor, was then forced by the letting agents to pay for the remainder of the tenancy.
The deputy PM was clear about it, saying: “This cannot and will not be allowed to happen any longer and we will make sure these families are not saddled with unnecessary and extra rent payments in such tragic circumstances. The return of our landmark Renters’ Rights Bill this week will right this wrong and also give working families greater security in their homes while transforming the rights for millions of renters across the country.”
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A change in law would mean guarantors, including families experiencing financial hardship, are not liable for extended periods of rent when trying to end the tenancy agreement in unforeseen and tragic circumstances. In the case of joint tenancies, family members of the deceased will also no longer be liable for rent under the new changes.
It all sounds like a step in the right direction, but do you think it’s enough to really change things for renters?
Let us know what you think. Does Labour’s bill finally give renters the protection they need, or does it still leave too many loopholes for landlords to exploit? Take our poll above and expand on your feelings in the comments.
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