The National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) has voiced strong criticism of the ongoing housing benefit freeze, describing it as a “travesty” that is detrimental to social mobility and the housing market.
The comments were made by Chris Norris, the NRLA’s policy director, during a fringe event at the Labour Party conference. The event was organised in conjunction with think tank DEMOS.
Norris described the current freeze on housing benefit rates as “completely unworkable,” arguing that it hampers social mobility and restricts investment in new rental properties.
Housing benefit rates have been frozen for three consecutive years, and the NRLA warns that this outdated system is leaving more benefit claimants struggling to find suitable housing.
According to research by the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS), the freeze has resulted in only 5% of rental properties listed on Zoopla being affordable for those dependent on housing benefits.
Cllr Stephen Cowan, Leader of Hammersmith and Fulham Council, who is heading an independent review of the private rented sector for the Labour Party, spoke at the event as well. He emphasised the necessity of increasing the overall housing supply to meet challenges faced by the rental sector.
Norris echoed Cowan’s remarks, saying that the lack of Government investment in private rented homes has restricted tenant choices, leaving them stuck with sub-standard options.
Norris stated: “Tenants are being let down by a failure of government policy. This failure has left them with no choice over where they live and makes them unable to vote with their feet when confronted with sub-standard housing.”
Ending his remarks, Norris said: “If they win power, Labour will need to tackle fundamental challenges in the rental market. We stand ready to work constructively with the party to secure a rental market that works for both tenants and responsible landlords.”
The NRLA is urging the government to lift the housing benefit freeze urgently to alleviate the mounting pressure on benefit claimants in securing adequate housing.
