Labor to force a non-binding Commons vote on the removal of tenancies

Labor will force a non-binding vote on the abolition of the tenancy system in England and Wales in the House of Commons on Tuesday.

Housing Secretary Michael Gove had previously promised to scrap the system by which a property owner pays maintenance charges and ground rent.

But the government’s plans for the leases, due to expire this year, will not include a date to exit the system.

Labor’s Lisa Nandy called the lack of a calendar “an outrage.”

Unlike a freehold owner who owns a property and the land it is built on, a renter owns a lease that gives them the right to use the property.

They have to get permission to make changes to the house and sometimes have to pay expensive land rent.

Tenants may also be subject to expensive legal fees if they wish to extend their lease.

Around 20% of housing in England is rental property, many of them flats in cities.

Gove has long criticized the leasing system, describing it as unfair and outdated.

In January he said the government would “absolutely” follow through on its promise to abolish it and that legislation would be presented “shortly”.

The legislation is scheduled to be introduced in the fall, however it will not implement a ban, but rather introduce protections for tenants from ground rents and legal fees.

He is also expected to introduce reforms that will make the rental system less attractive and lay the foundation for a viable community property system.

A common ownership system would mean that the occupants are joint owners and take responsibility for their buildings without the lease expiring.

During a pre-vote debate, Shadow Housing Secretary Ms Nandy said: “For many people in our country, what they thought would be the reward of years of hard work and the realization of their dreams of homeownership, was shattered by the reality of what it means to be a renter.

Housing Minister Lee Rowley insisted that the government committed to implementing tenancy reform before the next general election, including allowing tenants to challenge “unreasonable charges” and making it easier for people to extend their lease. lease.

“I am pleased to see that the market has already responded, with just 1.4% of houses in England now being built as lettings compared to almost 15% previously,” he added.

Labor Chairman of the Housing Committee, Clive Betts, asked why the changes were “taking so long”, adding: “The minister has just given a lot of support and commitment to do something at some point in the future.”

Labour’s motion, which is currently being debated, would force the government to introduce a “workable system to replace privately rented flats with those in common ownership”.

It also says that the government must end the sale of new houses for private lease.

Labor has also called on residents to get greater powers over the management of their homes in the meantime and to crack down on unfair rates.

Ms Nandy said: “MPs from all parties can join Labor in voting to end the tenancy system, implement the Law Commission’s recommendations in full and bring justice to millions of families.”

Even if MPs back Labour’s motion, the tenancies will not automatically be abolished as the vote is not binding on the government.