The Green Party have published their 2015 manifesto in advance of the General Election and it’s not looking good for landlords. The Greens have described their policies as ”making renting normal” but the National Landlords Association (NLA) disagrees, instead describing the Green policies as “an attack on landlords”.
What are the Green Party’s Manifesto Proposals?
• Rent controls linked to consumer price index
• ‘Living Rent’ tenancies, which include a 5 year fixed tenancy agreement
• Introduction of not-for-profit letting agencies
• Mandatory licensing scheme for landlords
• Abolition of various tax breaks for landlords
• Establishment of Living Rent Commission to see if local rents can be brought in line with local income averages
NLA View on the Green Proposals
The NLA is not happy with these proposals.
“This manifesto does not appear to take a balanced view of the PRS. The Green Party appear to want people to rent however does not take into account the demands on landlords to provide safe and decent housing for those families.”
They are also concerned that the introduction of five-year tenancies will reduce flexibility within the private rental sector and doesn’t take into account the fact that tenants are already free to ask for longer tenancies if required.
The NLA is also concerned at the prospect of the removal of landlord tax breaks. Many landlords rely on tax breaks to make their businesses viable and if these tax breaks were no longer available, some landlords would have no choice but to leave the private rental sector.
