A leading landlord community group has sounded the alarm over new tenant laws, warning they're having an 'unintended consequence' that's hurting renters as much as landlords. Property118 says policymakers are making decisions based on emotional responses rather than solid evidence, resulting in counterproductive outcomes across the UK.
The group points to 'Awaab's Law', which aims to prevent similar tragedies through stricter landlord regulations. However, they argue its foundation is built on shaky ground, citing the case where a child died due to mould exposure. They claim that conclusions reached by the ombudsman and coroner lacked sufficient evidential support, leading to flawed legislation.
Property118 questions the entire legislative landscape, criticising the reliance on unproven claims rather than objective evidence. They liken the current approach to 'pouring fuel on the flames', warning it may drive landlords out of business or deter investment in rental properties. This could severely impact the UK's rental market, leading to reduced supply and increased competition among tenants, ultimately driving up rents.
Property118 accuses tenant advocacy groups of dominating policy discussions while landlords' voices are largely ignored. They're calling for a commitment to objectivity and evidence-based policymaking, urging landlords to unite and lobby MPs to ensure future changes are backed by hard facts, not emotional appeals or unsubstantiated claims.
The group's warning comes as the UK's rental market faces mounting challenges, with rising rents, reduced supply, and increased competition. If policymakers fail to address these concerns, it could lead to a less stable and more expensive market for renters.