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New Homes Fit for Human Habitation Bill to be Discussed in New Year
This article is an external press release originally published on the Landlord News website, which has now been migrated to the Just Landlords blog.
A private member’s bill that would allow tenants to sue landlords if their home is not fit for human habitation will return to the House of Commons in the New Year.
New Homes Fit for Human Habitation Bill to be Discussed in New Year
Labour MP Karen Buck introduced the Homes (Fit for Human Habitation) Bill proposal, but moved the second reading on Friday (16th October 2015).
The bill will raise rent caps set in a law from 1885, which gives tenants the right to a suitable home, so long as their rent is not above the limits. At present, tenants have this right if they pay annual rent of £52 or £80 in London.
Buck addressed MPs: “If any hon members can find a property where the annual rent is less than £80, I am sure that millions of people across the country would be delighted to know where it is.
“Why is a change in the law necessary after all this time? Quite simply, renting is on the rise, dramatically so, especially in the private rented sector.
“As I have said, many landlords maintain their properties well and fulfil their obligations, yet the fact remains that standards in the private rented sector are poorer than those in owner-occupation.”1
A Conservative MP and landlord himself, Philip Davies, opposes the bill, saying that MPs wish to “impose on landlords as though they have nothing to do but wade through legislation”.
He continued: “It is unnecessary for the House to keep passing legislation that affects landlords, because there is already lots of legislation that makes it perfectly clear that homes should be fit for human habitation.
“When this House adds more and more regulations, it does not achieve anything for tenants, because there are already rules and regulations in place.
“All it does is pass on a huge burden to landlords who have to work out whether they are complying with the law today compared with what it was yesterday.”1
The debate was adjourned, but will continue on 29th January 2016.
Do you agree with the new bill? Or would this impose too much on landlords that already fulfil its notions?
