Reform UK's Pledge to Scrap Renters' Rights Act Sparks 'Rogue Landlords' Allegation
Reform UK's recent vow to abolish the Renters' Rights Act has ignited a fierce political row, with Housing Secretary Steve Reed accusing Nigel Farage's party of being "in the pocket of rogue landlords." The controversy erupted after deputy leader Richard Tice announced that a Reform government would scrap key Labour legislation designed to protect tenants and employees from exploitation.
Tice's Announcement Triggers Political Backlash
Last week, multi-millionaire Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice declared that his party would tear up two landmark acts passed last year: the Renters' Rights Act and the Employment Rights Act. This pledge has drawn sharp criticism from the government, with Steve Reed lambasting Reform's position as a threat to vulnerable renters across England.
In an exclusive interview with The Sunday Mirror, Reed stated: "For too long renters – of which there are 11 million in this country – have been let down and dogged by insecurity. I’m calling time on this and on 1 May the biggest upgrade in rights and protections in decades will be switched on."
He added: "Yet just this week, Reform said they would scrap them, leaving renters vulnerable to exploitation. The party that claims to be on the side of normal people showed their true colours. They’re really in the pockets of rogue landlords."
Key Provisions of the Renters' Rights Act
The groundbreaking Renters' Rights Act is set to come into force in two months, fundamentally changing the rental experience for millions in England. Major provisions include:
- Abolishing section 21 'no-fault' eviction notices
- Ending rent bidding wars that drive up prices
- Eliminating fixed contracts to give renters flexibility to leave with two months' notice
- Shielding tenants financially by preventing rent increases more than once annually
- Establishing new powers to challenge unfair rent hikes
Reed emphasized the transformative potential of these measures: "These much called for measures will mean renters get the decent, safe and secure homes that they deserve, providing the foundations they need to work, raise a family and build a life. I know that a safe and secure home is more than just bricks and mortar – it is housing that can truly transform a person’s life."
Reform UK's Counterargument
Reform UK has vigorously defended its position, arguing that Labour's legislation has backfired on renters. A party spokesman responded: "Labour’s Renters’ Rights Act has been a disaster for renters. It’s already driving landlords to sell up in droves, slashing rental supply and pushing up rental prices. All Steve Reed and his government has achieved is making renting more expensive and leaving ordinary people desperately hunting for homes that simply aren’t there."
The spokesman's comments highlight Reform's belief that the act has created unintended consequences, reducing available rental properties while increasing costs for tenants – a perspective that contrasts sharply with the government's portrayal of the legislation as essential protection.
Broader Political Context
This dispute occurs against the backdrop of Reed's broader housing agenda, which includes building 1.5 million homes to address the national housing crisis. The Housing Secretary stated: "I’m determined to end the housing crisis we inherited, build the 1.5 million homes this country needs and give renters the stability and security they deserve."
The confrontation between Reform UK and the government reflects deeper ideological divisions over housing policy, with Reform positioning itself against what it views as excessive regulation, while Labour emphasizes tenant protections as fundamental to social justice.
As the Renters' Rights Act implementation date approaches, this clash over tenant protections is likely to intensify, becoming a central issue in debates about housing affordability, landlord-tenant relationships, and the role of government in regulating the rental market.
