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Press Speculates on Introduction of Three-Year Tenancies
This article is an external press release originally published on the Landlord News website, which has now been migrated to the Just Landlords blog.
The press has been speculating on when the Government’s proposed minimum three-year tenancies will be introduced.
Following reports in The Sun that the Government will announce a decision next week, landlords are warning that it must not confirm its plans on longer-term tenancies until the consultation process has closed and it has considered all responses.
The consultation was launched on 2nd July 2018.
The Residential Landlords Association (RLA) has spoken out following the speculation, warning that it would be a huge breach of confidence in the democratic process if the Government were to announce its decision, given that the consultation does not close until 26th August 2018.
The RLA does support longer-term tenancies in the private rental sector, but has warned against imposing these as a norm.
New survey results from the organisation have found that the majority of landlords (57%) believe that the use of financial incentives, such as tax relief, would be the best way to ensure that landlords offer longer-term tenancies to those that want them.
This was one of the options proposed in the Government’s consultation.
The Policy Director of the RLA, David Smith, responds to the press speculation: “It would be highly irregular for the Government to make an announcement on longer tenancies next week, before the consultation has even closed and it has had chance to properly consider all responses. As well as showing disregard for recognised procedure, it would suggest that the Government does not want to listen to those who will be directly affected by any change.
“The Government should work with landlords to introduce change that improves the rental process for both landlords and tenants, otherwise, there is a danger that even more landlords will leave the sector, which is already shrinking.”
Recently, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has urged the Government to launch a review, as private landlords continue to leave the sector.
