Deputy leader of the Labour Party, Angela Rayner, unveiled a series of housing initiatives during her speech at the Labour Party Conference.
These initiatives aim to reform the rental market, support first-time homebuyers, and overhaul existing property ownership systems.
“Labour will strengthen rental reforms, ban no-fault evictions, and give first-time buyers ‘first dibs’ on new developments in their communities,” Rayner said. “We’ll end the medieval leasehold system, with root and branch reforms. We will deliver planning reform to build the houses the next generation so desperately needs.”
In response to Rayner’s announcement, Timothy Douglas, head of policy and campaigns, said, “There is now a clear consensus across the political spectrum for the abolition of no-fault evictions, but policymakers must recognise that letting agents and landlords need confidence in the capacity of the court system to deal with the changes and ensure that the revised system of grounds are robust enough to ensure landlords can get their property back when things go wrong.”
The newly proposed housing reforms are part of Labour’s broader strategy to make housing more accessible and affordable.
The commitment to end no-fault evictions is likely to resonate with renters, although the full implications for landlords and the broader housing market remain to be detailed.
Rayner’s proposal to offer first-time buyers priority on new housing developments and a comprehensive mortgage guarantee scheme aims to address barriers faced by those who don’t have access to ‘the bank of mum and dad.’
Meanwhile, the call to end the traditional leasehold system represents a more significant structural change to property ownership in the UK.
Douglas added: “We are pleased to see the Labour Party join the campaign for leasehold reform. Policymakers must level the playing field with those who already own a leasehold property, make enfranchisement easier, simplify the process for lease extensions and where there is no managing agent, freeholders must sign up to a redress scheme.
“Furthermore, as with sales, lettings and managing agents, for developers, there are no minimum standards to work in the sector and there are no statutory rules to ensure those buying and selling property are suitably qualified.”
