Telford MP, Lucy Allan, showed her support for renters in Telford last Friday, 19 January 2018, by attending the Second Reading of the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation and Liability for Housing Standards) Bill.
The Bill, which was been brought forward by Karen Buck MP, aims to give renters in Telford, and across the country, the right to take their landlord to court over unsafe and poor housing conditions.
More than 138,000 homes in the West Midlands are deemed hazardous and posing a “serious and immediate risk to health and safety”, according to the recent official statistics. This is the equivalent of 1 in 6 rented homes.
Ms Buck’s ‘Fitness for Human Habitation’ Bill has gained cross-party support, and the backing of the Government. It has also been supported by organisations across the housing sector, including Shelter, the Residential Landlords Association, the National Landlord Association and the National Housing Federation.
Lucy was one of a number of MPs, from all parties, present last week to see the Bill move safely through its Second Reading. The Bill will now progress and be scrutinised by a Parliamentary Committee.
She also took part in the debate. You can read her contribution at: https://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2018-01-19a.1169.2&s=speaker%3A25337#g1176.0.
Or watch it, via Parliament TV, at: http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/3ba9b344-f1c6-4882-ab25-a6388944516f
Lucy Allan, MP for Telford, said: “I’m proud to support the ‘Fitness for Human Habitation’ Bill, which will empower renters in Telford, and across the UK, and give them a meaningful tool for getting poor and unsafe renting conditions seen to.”
“Everyone in Telford deserves a decent and safe place to live, and the Government’s support of this Bill shows that they recognise this, and are committed to doing all they can to protect tenants.
Shelter’s Chief Executive, Polly Neate, said: “Too many private and social renters are forced to live in poor and sometimes dangerous conditions, unable to tackle safety concerns or legally challenge their landlord.
“Thanks to Lucy and MPs from all the major parties, we are one step closer to creating a minimum safety standard for rented homes. If passed, this Bill will help to protect renters and help stop rogue landlords in their tracks”.
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
- Data source: Analysis of raw data from English Housing Survey 14/15 by Shelter. Data is for all rented (private and social) homes.
- Photo: Lucy Allan MP (left, in blue), and other MPs, at an arranged photo-call in support of the Bill.