The UK’s largest union wants Labour to go further with its plans to reform the PRS and has labelled the Renters’ Rights Bill as only the ‘first step’.

Unison has significant leverage as a major funder of Labour and its Labour Link division works directly within the party to “take Unison’s policies into the heart of the party”.

Housing policy officer Sylvia Jones (pictured) says while the bill is a positive step, it falls short of fully addressing the broader issues of supply, accessibility and affordability, as well as other concerns around insecurity and standards.

“It is right that the government are moving so quickly on housing and private renting and this bill is a step in the right direction,” she explains.

“Unison will continue to push the government to go further and take additional steps to create a fairer rental market and improve the quality of life for millions of renters across the country.”

The union has been lobbying government and MPs and wants to see the bill strengthened by giving tenants two years protection from eviction, requiring landlords to register their intention to sell or move back in on the Digital Property Database to deter backdoor evictions, and the introduction of a new system of rent controls in advance of a tenancy.

Profound impact

It says the state of private renting has a profound impact on hundreds of thousands of Unison members both in their personal lives and their roles as public service workers.

It adds that the housing system hugely impacts public services and their ability to function, ranging from workers being unable to live near their workplaces due to high housing costs, to poor quality accommodation causing ill health and putting a strain on the NHS and other essential services, and homelessness placing financial burdens on councils.