Social housing tenants could face eviction if they do not keep their gardens well maintained under a Reform government, the party announced on Monday. Lee Anderson, Reform's chair, stated that if the party came to power, social rented homes would require tenants to keep their properties decorated and gardens looked after.
This proposal is part of a wider policy that would see foreign nationals removed from their current social homes. The policy would also prioritise young married couples born in Britain for new housing. Richard Tice, the party's deputy leader, confirmed that laws would be changed to ensure specific groups receive access to new housing, with British-born working couples with children given the highest priority.
Anderson referenced past practices, stating that council home renters historically had to be married and maintain their properties, with regular inspections. He questioned what was wrong with expecting those in subsidised housing to maintain their homes to a reasonable standard.
The party's plans to increase social home building rely on allowing housing associations to borrow more by increasing the accounting value of their owned homes. However, Andy Hulme, chief executive of Hyde, a major housing association, warned that these proposals could push many associations into financial difficulties by radically altering interest cover levels on their debt.