Labour in Leeds

Cllr Richard Lewis is calling on MP’s to lobby the Government for a change in the law so that private landlords can offer a longer fixed term tenancy than the assured shorthold tenancies currently offer. Cllr Lewis feels that this will help cities such as Leeds to deal with the current housing crisis and strengthen tenants rights.

Unscrupulous landlords can take advantage of AST’s to coerce tenants into submission, who then fear reprisal, usually eviction if they complain about their accomodation. Unfortunately local authorities such as Leeds City Council can do little to assist in these cases due to the properties in question being privately rented. However, Shelter Scotland are currently pursuing a change in legislation that would see tenants signing an agreement for a six-month probationary period followed by a fixed term tenancy of three and a half years, offering a real chance for stability and settlement into the local neighbourhood.

Councillor Lewis said “Changing the law on private sector tenancies is probably the cheapest thing that can be done to ease our housing crisis and would also have a host of other benefits for individuals and neighbourhoods. Unfortunately due to the economic downturn we are likely to see an influx of people into private rented sector and it is only fair that the tenants are offered full support and security when being offered accommodation.

There is a place for AST’s in terms of student accommodation and those working in the city short-term but they don’t offer stability for families who want certainty in their lives for schooling and community links. Landlords need to have another option available to offer tenants stability but that also has the reassurance of a probationary period of tenancy as currently offered with local authority housing and housing association properties.

A change in legislation to match the successful Republic of Ireland model would no doubt improve the lives of many existing private sector tenants and help to develop good relationships with private landlords. Scotland are now looking to do something similar and it is important that we start a debate on this issue so that we can move things forward in England.”