A Bill tabled by a Brent MP to stop rogue landlords from evicting tenants who complain about disrepair in their rented homes has been supported in principle by the Government today.
Sarah Teather, Brent Central MP, used her Private Member’s Bill in Parliament to ask for new laws to prevent retaliatory evictions protecting 9m renters in the country.
The Liberal Democrat politician was one of 20 backbenchers who won a Private Members’ Ballot which enabled her to table the Bill.
Backing the Bill, Stephen Williams, Liberal democrat Minister for Communities, said: “Our private rental sector is a vital asset, providing a home to nine million people across the country. So I’m determined to root out the minority of rogue landlords that give it a bad name.
“That’s why we’re backing Sarah Teather’s Bill to outlaw revenge evictions once and for all – ensuring tenants do not face the prospect of losing their home simply because they’ve asked for essential repairs to be made.”
Miss Teather, who has joined forces with Housing charity Shelter, to highlight the plight, said: “It’s fantastic to have the Government’s backing for my Bill, which I believe will make a real difference to renters in Brent and across the country if it becomes law.
“I pay tribute to Stephen and his colleagues in the Department for Communities and Local Government for taking this issue seriously and to Shelter for their important campaign on it.”
According to Ms Teather, Brent has around 33,000 privately rented properties - one of highest numbers in the country and 12 per cent of tenants are too afraid to complain in case they lose their homes.
Campbell Robb, Shelter’s chief executive said: “More than 200,000 renters have faced revenge evictions in the last year and conditions in privately rented homes are the worst in the country – which is why Shelter has been calling for a ban on this unfair practice.
“Nobody should have to raise their children in a place where their health and well-being are at risk, let alone live in fear of being thrown out simply for complaining about a problem in their home.”
The Bill will have its second reading in the House of Commons on November 28.
Related link: Brent MP Sarah Teather to table Bill in Parliament protecting private tenants
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