Landlords are warning that the Government must not announce any decision on longer term tenancies until the consultation process has closed and it has considered all responses.
In responding to reports in The Sun that a decision will be announced next week, the Residential Landlords Association warns that this would be a huge breach of confidence in the democratic process given that the consultation on longer tenancies does not close until August 26.
The RLA supports longer tenancies in the sector but warns against imposing these as the norm.
It says the majority of landlords (57 %) believe the use of financial incentives such as tax relief would be the best way to ensure that landlords offer longer-term tenancies to those that want them.
This was one of the options proposed in the Government’s consultation.
RLA policy director David Smith said: “It would be highly irregular for the Government to make an announcement on longer tenancies next week before the consultation has even closed and it has had chance to properly consider all responses.
“As well as showing disregard for recognised procedure, it would suggest that the Government does not want to listen to those who will be directly affected by any change.”
“The Government should work with landlords to introduce change that improves the rental process for both landlords and tenants.
“Otherwise there is a danger that even more landlords will leave the sector which is already shrinking.”
Comments (9)
If a Tenant wants a longer tenancy (after the initial 6 months to see how it goes) and the Landlord has no problems, then I give them one. What’s so hard to understand? If they want a shorter one, I give them that too.
If they want a long one and the Landlord doesn’t, I will get the longest I can and at least the Tenant is aware of it. Most of my landlords say that they have no plans to make any changes, but life can be unpredictable, and so they generally don’t want more than 12-18 months, renewed again at the end.
I think you are mistaking anger and indignation for ‘panic’, Rent Rebel
Work harder and earn your own assets before passing judgement.
Agree, just a short sighted tenant response who can’t see the outcomes of daft unnecessary policies
Great to see landlords panicking. (about one unverified sentence in the Sun, of all places)
Not panicking at all. As landlords are driven away rents will rise as supply falls I can only make money out of it! I feel sorry for the tenants.
Correct tenant pay the price for these polices, shame they can’t see the basic facts that supply is falling and rents are rising. I am not bothered in the least about three year tenancies, I don’t put out good tenants and the bad ones can still be evicted. Therefore the more landlords leaving due to these policies send rents higher again and landlord tenant choices easier.
Many landlord won’t be able to commit to 3 year leases for very valid reasons , reducing supply and making the business better on all fronts for landlords staying. Why can’t government see this if they want to help tenants !
The Government announced Section 24 after no consultation whatsoever; it then asked for submissions afterwards, received nearly a hundred and I got the Chair of the Finance Committee to admit that these had not even been read. It’s a farce.
The Government has already made it’s mind up on this issue – 3yr tenancies will go ahead irrespective of the outcome of the consultation. The consultation result will be manipulated to support the Government policy to give it fake legitimacy.
I think we all know the ROGUE actions of Goverment and that so called consultations are FAKE lip service. This merely reinforces that we already believe.