Conservative MP Anthony Mangnall (main image) warned the government that removing fixed term tenancies could have dire consequences for housing supply, with many rental properties taken off the market.
He voted against the Renters (Reform) Bill during yesterday’s debate and said heaping more rules and regulations onto landlords sent the wrong message and was an “enormous mistake” which would reduce the number of long-term lets in favour of short-term lets. “The inability to operate your own personal property as an individual might wish will only result in large swathes of the PRS throwing up their hands and selling their properties.”
Mangnall - backed by dozens of other Conservative MPs - sought to change the Bill with a number of amendments, some of which were adopted by the government, including extending the notice period given by tenants to six months and widening the reach of rent repayment orders, but others failed to gain traction or were withdrawn.
The MP for Totnes called for an end to selective licensing as he said councils would be able to access the new property portal, making all schemes redundant. He added: “Selective licensing is an additional cost to landlords which will now be added to the property portal and redress scheme, and they shouldn’t have to pay twice for much the same thing.”
Another amendment would have enabled courts to consider hearsay evidence during possession proceedings on grounds of anti-social behaviour. While the government had changed the wording in discretionary grounds so that any behaviour capable of causing nuisance or annoyance could lead to eviction, this wasn’t the true problem, explained Mangnall.
“Main evidence of nuisance is proved by neighbours, but they are often reluctant to attend partly due to the slow speed of the court system and the fact they have to continue living near the tenant they help to evict. It would be better to allow landlords to use evidence provided by text or email complaining to landlord.”
He added: “While the intent to remove section 21 is a good one…there must be some leeway around ensuring fixed term tenancies can remain.”
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