MP weighs in on 'anti-tenant' legislation issue

17 2007
The controversial issue of landlords' powers to serve 'notices to quit' to their tenants has taken another twist after the UK's shadow housing minister gave his support to the Residential Landlords Association (RLA).

Under the existing Housing Act, landlords are permitted to serve notice on tenants at the end of a guaranteed six-month tenancy.

However, recent campaigns have criticised the 'anti-tenant' nature of the legislation, claiming that it can be misused by unscrupulous landlords as a means of evicting renters who have genuine grievances regarding the standard of accommodation or who request repairs to a property.

Conservative MP Chris Powell, has argued that should the law be abolished, it will become more difficult for landlords to get rid of rogue tenants as they will be required to wait until they get into serious arrears with their rent before they can take any action.

"Mistreatment of the property or the need to renovate and move a tenant out, even temporarily, would not be grounds for re-possession," he explained.

Just last month a study by AA Legal Services found that 59 per cent of UK tenants are not sure of how much notice needs to be served on their property, leaving many open to exploitation by landlords. ADNFCR-1219-ID-18396640-ADNFCR

Related Articles
Mayfair home falls down in credit crunch
A £20 million London property has become the latest victim in the...

House prices have 'no reason' to stabilise soon
The idea held by many that Britain's house prices will steady as a result...

Which? publishes help for 'accidental landlords'
Consumer organisation Which? has created a book to aid landlords in the...

Private landlords 'should be encouraged'
The private rental sector should be supported and expanded, and buy-to-let...

Annual price drop reaches 8.1%
A relatively modest annual price drop has been recorded by Hometrack this...