Anti-social behaviour

Categories: evictions | tenants

A proposal by the National Residential Landlords Association, to address tenants who display uncooperative and anti-social behaviour, has been accepted by the government.

Felicity Buchan MP, Minister for the Private Rented Sector, announced in her first speech as housing minister, that the Government will strive to provide support for landlords in order to address anti-social tenant behaviour when Section 21 evictions are abolished on the implementation of the Renters Reform Bill. The Member of Parliament states:

"Members mentioned the real issues attached to antisocial behaviour. We will reform grounds of possession so that they are comprehensive, fair and efficient, and we will streamline the possession process, removing unnecessary restrictions on landlords seeking to recover their property.

“Alongside that, we will continue to listen to landlords and students, as mentioned by a number of hon. members —landlords provide much-needed accommodation to thousands of students every year—to ensure that the sector continues to work for those in higher education, and I will continue to have those conversations."

Moreover, Buchan has accepted NRLA’s proposal to call a meeting that would involve key stakeholders – landlords, tenants, police, and local authorities. The aim of the meeting would be to develop a plan that would ensure a viable method can be implemented against anti-social tenants.

She continued by addressing delegates over the government’s pledge to ensure that the reform of the private rented sector will be beneficial for both key stakeholders – tenants and landlords.

Buchan noted that the government’s plans might negatively impact student housing market, but assured that they will take the necessary precautions to negate the damage on the aforementioned market. Additionally, she underlined the importance of court system efficacy, working “properly and efficiently” when Section 21 is eventually abolished.

In particularly good news for landlords, in light of rumours of rent controls in England, the minister echoed previous policies, made by former junior minister Eddie Hughes MP that there won’t be rent controls in England. Hughes formerly declared:

“Rent controls would discourage investment in the sector and would lead to declining property standards as a result, which would not help landlords or tenants.”

Buchan reiterated Hughes’ statement that rent controls in England would result in “disinvestment in the sector, which is not good for anyone”.

NRLA response

Chief executive of NRLA, Ben Beadle, responded, by stating:

“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.”