Is the government planning a ‘war on landlords’?

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The new Labour government is reportedly planning a “new war on landlords”.

Over the weekend, The Telegraph reported that ministers were considering tougher rules on evictions and restrictions on “costly environmental refurbishments”.

The paper reports that the government is considering “a French-style ‘hardship test’ that landlords would have to carry out before evicting tenants,” which, according to the Telegraph, would effectively ban evictions if tenants are found to be indigent.

Similar measures have been introduced in France as part of an effort to reduce homelessness, and the paper said Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook “is thought to support the idea”.

Another aspect of the so-called “war on landlords” is the government’s plans to reinstate energy efficiency requirements, which would require homes to be fitted with green upgrades at “potentially uncapped costs”, according to the Telegraph.

This speculation is new Tenants’ Bill of Rights in the King’s Speech last month.

The previous administration’s energy efficiency requirements Former Chancellor Rishi Sunak abolishedThe new government’s Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Ed Miliband, has hinted at plans to make it mandatory for landlords to obtain EPC C certificates by 2030.

The Telegraph spoke to Bob Blackman, the Conservative MP for Harrow East, about the plans, who said: “A lot of rented properties are physically impossible to renovate like that, so what do you do? Do you say, ‘OK, we can’t rent them out anymore’?”

“This could result in a significant reduction in the number of properties available.”

On speculation around the hardship test, he said: “Every administration has relied on the private rented sector to deliver what the social rented sector should be delivering.”

“This will result in renewed restrictions on the private rented sector, which will be unfair to the private sector landlords who provide the service.”

A Government spokesman was also quoted as telling the Telegraph: “The private rented sector is in desperate need of reform and our Tenants’ Bill of Rights will make renting fairer for everyone.”

“The recent energy shocks have also highlighted the urgent need to upgrade England’s homes to ensure energy independence and reduce fuel poverty.”

“Responsible landlords who provide quality housing for their tenants should not have to fear the sensible review of private rented sector regulation that we are about to undertake.”