Letter to Stepheb Gilbert re. the UK housing scam

[bluebottle]

Re: Letter to Stepheb Gilbert re. the UK housing scam

The housing crisis will not be resolved until the medieval feudal system of land and property ownership this country has is smashed once and for all and a system more in keeping with a modern civilised society is put in its place. Outlawing tenancy clauses which allow landlords to bully and cheat tenants and evade their legal responsibilities is a must. As for the muppet politicians who passed a law making a local authority purchase a property a landlord was not maintaining, effectively financially rewarding the landlord, they need a good hard kick up their backsides. Compulsory Purchase Orders in such circumstances must be replaced by Confiscation Orders with a bill to boot for getting properties into a habitable condition. See how many private-sector landlords let their properties fall into disrepair if they knew the local community could take their property from them, without compensation, and they have to pay for work to make it habitable.

[Guest]

Re: Letter to Stepheb Gilbert re. the UK housing scam

The housing crisis will not be resolved until the medieval feudal system of land and property ownership this country has is smashed once and for all and a system more in keeping with a modern civilised society is put in its place.

Absolutely, but correspondence with Stephen Gilbert (as kindly suggested by springerspaniel) does not seem to be getting me anywhere.
I have noted that (social + private) tenants = > 10% of population, and rising dramatically.
Surely there is a way of mobilising these forces?

Outlawing tenancy clauses which allow landlords to bully and cheat tenants and evade their legal responsibilities is a must.

Yes, plain as the nose on your face - so why doesn't it get introduced?
Stephen Gilbert says he has tried introducing a scheme similar to one I proposed (for checking repairs before entry to property, as well as during, and at termination, which could be used for enforcement/compensation) in parliament, but they won't listen.

As for the muppet politicians who passed a law making a local authority purchase a property a landlord was not maintaining, effectively financially rewarding the landlord, they need a good hard kick up their backsides. Compulsory Purchase Orders in such circumstances must be replaced by Confiscation Orders with a bill to boot for getting properties into a habitable condition. See how many private-sector landlords let their properties fall into disrepair if they knew the local community could take their property from them, without compensation, and they have to pay for work to make it habitable.

No doubt, although not an area I know a lot about. It'd have to be pretty bad, I imagine, before that would occur, and unfortunately, in my case, the repair issues are less serious. Being without heating in the freezing weeks of winter 2010, however, was not funny for many tenants. I heard of one who had to stay with friends, and I nearly had to abandon my (rented) property.

If anyone has any ideas on how to get these laws changed when the chair of the all-party housing committee can't, please speak up. Stephen Gilbert is currently canvassing in Cornwall and involved in local matters such as council waste disposal.

[Guest]

Re: Letter to Stepheb Gilbert re. the UK housing scam

A couple of weeks or so ago, a lady rang me from Stephen Gilbert's office, and told me he was no longer chair of the all-party housing committee.

Defending possession proceedings against my landlord, I have bought in a declaration of incompatibility of s21 Housing Act 1988 - which gives the right to evict for no reason, with article 8 Human Rights Act 1998 - which gives the right to respect for the home.

If my case goes to the High Court, and the laws are seen to be incompatible in the particular facts of my case, the incompatibility (I think if it gets through the Supreme Court, also) has to be written out of the statutes by parliament.

My hearing in the county court is 23rd January 2013 - please see thread here

[SpringerSpaniel]

Re: Letter to Stepheb Gilbert re. the UK housing scam

Another MP who has been very vocal on the difficulties faced by private tenants (25% of his constituents) is Jeremy Corbyn (Lab, Islington N). You might want to contact him as well.

[Guest]

Re: Letter to Stepheb Gilbert re. the UK housing scam

Another MP who has been very vocal on the difficulties faced by private tenants (25% of his constituents) is Jeremy Corbyn (Lab, Islington N). You might want to contact him as well.

Thanks, but I don't see what help an MP can give?
Been there, got the t-shirt - see all the WORK above.

[SpringerSpaniel]

Re: Letter to Stepheb Gilbert re. the UK housing scam

Of course it is a priority to prepare your own case if you are involved in litigation.

However, your issues do raise policy matters which could be dealt with through regulation and/or legislation, eg the London Borough of Newham has recently introduced a licensing scheme for private rented proeprty, as mnay tenants in the Borough have had propblems with disrepair. It is helpful for those with the powers to bring in such reforms to have evidence about the problems citizens are experiencing, eg retaliatory eviction following compliants about disrepair.

Therefore when your case is concluded, I would encourage you to contact eg relevant MPs as some fo these issues are better prevented than fought on an idividual case by case basis.

[Guest]

Re: Letter to Stepheb Gilbert re. the UK housing scam

Of course it is a priority to prepare your own case if you are involved in litigation.

However, your issues do raise policy matters which could be dealt with through regulation and/or legislation, eg the London Borough of Newham has recently introduced a licensing scheme for private rented proeprty, as mnay tenants in the Borough have had propblems with disrepair. It is helpful for those with the powers to bring in such reforms to have evidence about the problems citizens are experiencing, eg retaliatory eviction following compliants about disrepair.

Therefore when your case is concluded, I would encourage you to contact eg relevant MPs as some fo these issues are better prevented than fought on an idividual case by case basis.

I do acknowledge that you have ignored my response.

[seduraed]

Re: Letter to Stepheb Gilbert re. the UK housing scam

I am interested in youor views . I am a landlord and have been for several years . This was necessary for me to stay in my home I lost my job so I let rooms . This is my home . The problem with a landlor accreditation scheme which operates for large HMO is the cost , (£500 per year ) and the fact that I lose my perm itted development rights. I agree with you that a large problem is the housing shortage . . This is partly caused by a lack of building but also that there are huge numbers of empty properties . ~Many of these are flats above shops which need to be adapted.
The secured tenancy of the past meant that huge numbers of properties disappeared from the market .
But your plan would have meant that I would have lost my home .