Private renters ‘let down’ after revenge eviction bill blocked
Camden Council vows to continue campaigning for private renters’ rights after a bill to stop landlords from carrying out unfair evictions was blocked in Parliament.
The Council had called on MPs to vote in favour of the Tenancies (Reform) Bill on Friday 28 November. Despite strong cross-party support, the bill failed to pass its second reading after it was talked out.
This meant the debate ran out of time, preventing a vote from being held on the proposals.
"Private renters in Camden and across the UK have been let down. An opportunity to give them the confidence to complain when their housing is not up to standard has been missed.
“Despite this setback, our work to improve conditions for private renters in Camden continues. I want them to know that the Council can help get things put right if they are living in poor conditions.
“Safe, secure housing is a fundamental right and they should not have to live in fear of being evicted if they report problems."
Research from Shelter found that more than 200,000 renters were evicted or served notice in the last year, after reporting poor property conditions to their landlord.
It also found 1 in 9 (11%) renters in London were too scared to ask their landlord to fix a problem in their home for fear of being evicted.
The private members’ bill was intended to prevent landlords from serving an eviction notice on their tenants for six months, if councils find their property’s living conditions need improving.
To report poor housing conditions in privately rented housing in Camden, contact Camden Council on 020 7974 4444 or email [email protected]
Notes to editors
1. Had it progressed, the Tenancies (Reform) Bill would have meant landlords would be prevented from evicting their tenant(s) in response to a local authority intervention about the condition of their property. They would be unable to serve a no-fault ‘Section 21’ eviction notice for six months following the issue of a local authority improvement or hazard awareness notice.
2. Camden Council is working to improve conditions for private renters. The average house price in Camden is £833,940; the average rent for a two bedroom property is £425 per week (requiring an income of £70,000 to afford it); and a third of Camden’s households live in privately rented homes. These rents and house prices are unaffordable for the majority of local people. The Council’s aim is to make Camden a place for everyone. As well as becoming a better landlord ourselves, we are working to improve standards in privately rented accommodation, increase supply, encourage better landlords, give tenants a stronger voice and call for more powers to take action where it is needed. For more information visit www.camden.gov.uk and search ‘private rented sector’.
3. If a private members’ bill debate is not concluded by 2.30pm on the Friday it is discussed, the bill fails to progress through Parliament.