Member News
The backbench MP who topped the private member's bill ballot is to introduce legislation to protect private tenants from losing their homes.
Brian Iddon (Lab, Bolton SE) announced today that he has received hundreds of letters and thousands of emails lobbying him to support a variety of different pieces of legislation.
He said that he made the "very difficult decision" to take forward the Protection of Private Tenants (Mortgage Repossession) Bill despite the many worthy causes he would have liked to support.
"Given the limited time available in this truncated parliamentary session, I am keen to bring in a Bill that is relatively simple and that will command widespread support in the House," he said.
It will be debated on January 29 and stands a chance of becoming law as the government has indicated it may support the private member's bill.
Ministers were criticised for not including measures to protect tenants in the Financial Services Bill currently before parliament.
Housing minister John Healey said:
"I welcome Brian Iddon's decision to use his Bill to close the gap in legal protections for tenants whose landlords face repossession and I will work with him closely on this important legislation.
"Dr Iddon's Protection of Private Tenants Bill will offer much-needed breathing space for tenants so they don't face being thrown out onto the street and have time to find a new home."
The Bill will give private tenants rights if their landlord defaults on their mortgage and the lender takes steps to repossess the property.
Currently, if a landlord is renting out a property and they have not informed the lender that it is being let, when repossession notices are sent out, they will not be addressed to the tenant.
This means the tenant may be totally unaware of any repossession order until a court summons is received or the bailiffs arrive.
This leaves the tenant potentially homeless.
"Legislation in this area is urgently needed," said Iddon.
"The government have already undertaken a consultation on this issue and I have support for the Bill from Shelter, Crisis, the Citizens Advice Bureau and the Chartered Institute of Housing.
"I will be campaigning very hard to ensure that my Bill passes into law before the general election so we can start protecting private tenants as soon as possible."
Dods Parliamentary Communications Ltd