The new Labour government is planning a “fresh war on landlords”, according to press speculation.
Over the weekend, the Telegraph reported that ministers are considering stricter rules on evictions and regulation for “costly eco-refurbishment”.
According to the newspaper, the government is considering “French-style ‘hardship tests’ that would have to be carried out before landlords could evict tenants”. These, said the Telegraph, would effectively ban evictions in cases where renters were found to be worse off.
A similar measure has been introduced in France in an effort to reduce homelessness and the newspaper said that housing minister Matthew Pennycook “is understood to support the idea”.
Another aspect of the so-called “war on landlords” is a plan by the government to bring back energy efficiency requirements, the Telegraph said. This would involve requirements to make green upgrades to homes with “potentially uncapped costs”.
The speculation comes following the announcement of a new Renters’ Rights Bill in the King’s Speech last month.
The previous government’s energy efficiency requirements were scrapped by former prime minister Rishi Sunak. Ed Miliband, the new government’s energy security and net zero secretary, has indicated plans to introduce a requirement for EPC C certificates for landlords by 2030.
The Telegraph spoke to Bob Blackman, Conservative MP for Harrow East, about the plans. He said: “Large numbers of rental properties are just physically incapable of being upgraded to that, so what do you do? Do you say well, ‘Okay, that can’t be rented out any more’?
“What that does is potentially reduce substantially the number of properties available.”
On the speculation surrounding hardship tests, he said: “Governments of all persuasions have relied on the private rented sector to supply what the social rented sector should supply.
“So we’re going to get more restrictions on the private rented sector again which is going to be unfair on the private sector landlords who are providing a service.”
A government spokesperson was also quoted in the Telegraph, saying: “The private rented sector is in desperate need of reform, and our Renters’ Rights Bill will make renting fairer for all.
“The energy shocks of recent years have also shown the urgent need to upgrade British homes so we can secure our energy independence and reduce fuel poverty.
“Responsible landlords who provide quality homes to their tenants have nothing to fear from the sensible overhaul of private rented sector regulation we intend to implement.”
