Labour plans to meddle

If you thought the Labour Party had had enough of meddling with the private rental sector.  Thing again.  After their aborted attempts at trying to introduce a landlords licence they are once again hatching to meddle in the private rental sector.  This time they are setting out some of their thoughts in their policy review snapilly entitled : Private rented housing: Providing stability and affordability for renters and families.

Plea to renters

Unsurprisingly, it reads as a plea to dissatisfied renters to vote for them.  They want to provide tenants with an opportunity to longer term tenancies.  Many landlords would welcome this.  The Labour Party would in turn reward the landlord with indexed rent increases.  They want 'affordable homes' for renters.  This is were it all goes a wry.  Who defines what is 'affordable' and affordable to who?  I would love an 'affordable' mansion in Kensington and would welcome the State making a contribution.  Most tax payers would object rightly to the state subsidising my desire for affordability.  Going back to the Labour Parties policy review.

Labours intentions unearthed

The strapline of the press release reads that the Labour Party actions are aimed at: "Ensuring that the many responsible landlords who do the right thing are not disadvantaged". That to mean sounds like if landlords don't do what the Labour Party want and therefore do the 'wrong thing' will feel the full force of the Labour Parties wrath if they once again are given the opportunity of power.

Historic precedence

The reality is that ever since the Labour Party has been in existence they have been fundamentally apposed to private individuals owning private property that they rent out.  They don't believe that landlords can be trusted.  There actions of rent control and security of tenure brought the private rental sector to it's knees by the end of the 1970s.  My view is fundamentally the Party has not changed it's views even if they try to portray themselves now as landlord friendly.  So landlords beware - they will be looking to regulate YOU given half the chance.  To view their proposals download the Policy Review here.

Landlord Insurance - professional rates