Delivering her first speech as Minister for the Private Rented Sector to the NRLA’s annual conference, Felicity Buchan MP said that the Government’s ambition was to strengthen the grounds enabling landlords to tackle anti-social behaviour when Section 21 repossessions are scrapped.
The Minister accepted the NRLA’s proposal to convene a meeting of key stakeholders representing landlords, tenants, the police, local authorities and others to develop plans to ensure swift and effective action can be taken against anti-social tenants.
Addressing delegates, the Minister outlined the Government’s commitment to ensure its plans to reform the private rented sector work for responsible landlords as well as tenants.
The Minister made clear that the Government understood concerns about the impact its plans could have on the student housing market and pledged to look at what could be done to ensure they don’t damage this part of the market. Likewise, she made clear the importance of the court system working “properly and efficiently” when Section 21 is abolished.
The Minister went on to say that the Government does not support rent controls, warning that such a policy would lead to “disinvestment in the sector, which is not good for anyone”.
Ben Beadle, Chief Executive of the National Residential Landlords Association, said: “We welcome the Minister’s comments and agree that the Government’s rental reform plans need to enjoy the confidence of both responsible landlords and tenants.
“The NRLA has made clear that more needs to be done to ensure the behaviour of anti-social tenants can be tackled effectively when Section 21 goes. We, therefore, welcome the Minister’s acceptance of our proposal for a roundtable on the issue. It is vital that all key stakeholders representing landlords, tenants, the police and others can develop clear and workable plans to ensure neighbours and fellow tenants alike are not left at the mercy of nightmare tenants.”
