News

Today the Tenant Fees Bill has its second reading in the House of Commons, which provides MPs with the opportunity to debate the Bill for the first time. At the end of the reading, MPs will vote on whether the Bill should proceed to the next stage.

The House of Commons Library has provided MPs with a background report on the Bill, including information on current practice in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. It explains the Bill’s provisions and summarises reactions from tenants, landlords and letting agents. https://researchbriefings.parliament.uk/ResearchBriefing/Summary/CBP-7955

While the Bill aims to create a fairer and safer PRS for all, NALS does not believe this will deliver what the government aspires to, and risks doing real damage to the PRS.

Last year we circulated NALS’ position statement on the ban to all MPs. In light of the second reading, we are now calling on our firms to contact their local MP to ask them to give serious consideration to the points raised in the statement –  particularly taking into account the impact of the ban on agents in their constituencies and the tenants who will pay increased rent as a result of the ban.

Isobel Thomson, NALS CEO, said:

“It is important that MPs fully understand the implication of the fee ban for their constituents who rely on the Private Rented Sector (PRS) and who will be affected by the ban. There will be inevitable increases in rent for tenants and increased costs for landlords, but there will also be a huge impact on agents operating small businesses in their local areas.

“We are urging MPs to use this time to fully assess the impact of the Bill. It is crucial that Government looks again at the proposals and consider tenant fees in a broader, coherent framework of regulation planned for the PRS.”

NALS position statement on the Tenant Fee Ban can be read here: Fee Ban Position Statement May 2018