As a Shadow Minister, I play a critical role in holding the Government to account. I have heard both from constituents and small businesses about the damage that Government legislation is having. Only earlier this week, I spoke to residents who are being forced out of the rental market sector by the Government’s Renter’s Rights Bill and threats that Ministers will go further in the near future.
In the rental sector there is a delicate balance between ensuring that tenants are satisfied with the homes they rent and supporting landlords who provide privately rented accommodation to millions. The Renter’s Rights Bill goes further than any previous pieces of legislation to upend the status quo and many landlords, especially small landlords, are looking to leave the sector.
Over the last six months I have regularly raised the concerns of landlords but have found the Government largely unwilling to listen. Today in oral questions, I pressed Ministers specifically on the minimum energy efficiency standards in the domestic private rented sector. I am not convinced that Ministers have fully considered the impact of their proposals and the response from the Minister this afternoon did little to change my mind.
