Thank you to those constituents who have contacted me about support for private renters.
I am assured that the Government is dedicated to reforming the rental sector for tenants and landlords alike. A Renters Reform Bill will be brought forward to deliver a better deal for renters.
Central to these reforms will be the abolition of Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions, which the Government consulted upon in 2019. This will improve security for tenants and protect them from having to move at short notice, as well as strengthening repossession ground for landlords when they have valid cause. I understand that proposals will also be set out for a new ‘lifetime’ tenancy deposit model that eases the burden on tenants when moving from one tenancy to the next, helping to improve the experience of those living in the private rental sector.
Standards in rented accommodation will be driven up, including by ensuring all tenants have a right to redress and warranting well-targeted, effective enforcement that drives out criminal landlords. As part of this, the White Paper will consult on introducing a legally binding Decent Homes Standard in the private rented sector for the first time. I am also told that the Government will explore the merits of a national landlord register. Improvements and possible efficiencies to the possession process in the courts will also be considered to make it quicker and easier for landlords and tenants to use.
A new property portal will be established which will help landlords understand their obligations, support local authorities to crack down on poor practice and give tenants performance information to hold their landlord to account.
These are important steps in ensuring that renters can benefit from more secure and higher quality homes. I also support creating a more stable rental market for landlords to remain and invest in.
More broadly, I believe that much of the current housing being built on the Island is not for Islanders and is harmful to our economy. The developments are not designed for local people, but for the broader South-East housing markets. I believe that we need a policy that builds the housing that Islanders need. I want the houses which are built to be affordable homes for Islanders.
I want the Council to become further engaged in shaping the house-building market on the Island and I support plans to establish an Island housing company, to build affordable homes for Islanders.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.