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Urgent Question to the Housing Minister re lifting the stay on possn claims - just starting
Minister thinks it is important that ASB cases can restart. I agree. But that isn't what the CPR or PD says.
Landlords are encouraged to have conversations with tenants before seeking possession and to agree rent repayment plans.
Tenants still entitled to three months notice (Coronavirus Act temporary measure).
Renters Reform Bill will be brought forward in due course
@ThangamMP explains that people who have lost income due to coronavirus can be evicted from 23 August (she is right, btw). The current law still provides for mandatory possn orders under s.21 or G8, HA 1988
What consideration has there been as to likely impact on homelessness cases?
Minister replies that his measures are unprecedented (meh - the Landlord and Tenant (Temporary Provisions) Act 1958 was better as a short term remedy)
Minister - breach of the PD duty to give details re covid impact means court can adjourn the claim (hmm... even on Ground 8 and s.21? Not sure I'd be quite as confident as the Minister). But that is the extent of his "protection" for tenants.
Renters Reform Act not until there is "stable terrain".
Clive Betts MP nails it. Comply with the PD and the court *must* make a possn order under s.21 or G8.
And Minister agrees. Court has no discretion in those circumstances.
Minister encourages landlords and tenants to talk. Sure, obviously a good thing. But what if you can't agree? Reasonable landlords and reasonable tenants can reasonably fail to reach agreement!
Barry Gardner MP asks about rent controls. Minister says that getting the economy back on track is the best way forward. But has given more money to DHP fund.
Minister - Important that ASB cases can go ahead (I suspect he'd get broad support for that, but that is *not* what the PD is limited to). Government will "do the right thing by landlords and tenants"
Lillian Greenwood also gets it right. Unless you add a discretionary element to s.21 or G8, then there will be mandatory orders. Minister considers 90% of tenants can meet rental liabilities and of the 10%, 3/4 of those have had a good reaction from LL re repayment plan
Justin Madders - Minister cannot guarantee that noone will lose a home because of covid. Minister accepts that he cannot guarantee "every tenancy will be maintained"
Bob Blackman - judges have no discretion under G8. Given that legislation is due in the autumn (????), why not bring it forward now? There are around 500,000 people affected by the lifting of the possn stay
Minister - Renters Reform Bill will be when it is "appropriate to do so".
Need to go and do some work now. So I'm afraid this needs to end here.
No - meeting delayed until 2.10. So will come back to this.
Now on the importance of infrastructure spending... not *entirely* sure how that is related to the urgent question.
Now on the importance of infrastructure spending... not *entirely* sure how that is related to the urgent question.
Selaine Saxby - are there longterm plans to secure housing for vulnerable people?
Minister - we will put money into affordable housing
Minister - we will put money into affordable housing
Barbara Keeley - extend the ban until September so we can consider what further legal reforms are needed. Minister - 90% of tenants can meet rent and majority of the 10% are supported by their LL
Minister says Baroness Kennedy (of @genrentuk ) doesn't fear tsunami of evictions.
Minister says Baroness Kennedy (of @genrentuk ) doesn't fear tsunami of evictions.
Karen Buck speaking now. This will obviously be brilliant
Karen Buck - is there a duty on LL and T to reach agreement? And if not, is it true that the court can't do anything about it.
Minister - LL has a duty to assess effect of covid 19 on tenant (*ahem*). Court can adjourn if not done.
Minister - LL has a duty to assess effect of covid 19 on tenant (*ahem*). Court can adjourn if not done.
Minister - must not drive LL out of marketplace and must support good LLs to keep their properties (eh? seems to fear good LL would sell to bad LL). Best thing for LL is for tenant to pay rent and keep LL in business.
Now off to work
Now off to work
