14th January – Jack Abbott MP backs government plans to protect renters

On the 14th of January, I was proud to back new plans introduced by the Labour government that will save renters across Ipswich and Suffolk from forking thousands of pounds in rent upfront. 

Currently, there is no limit to how many months’ rent landlords can require tenants to pay upfront to secure a property. This loophole, coupled with high demand for rental properties, has resulted in some landlords forcing tenants to pay extortionate sums of money upfront. This can come in the form of several months' rent even before officially securing a tenancy.

But, under new measures introduced as part of Labour’s Renters’ Rights Bill, the amount of rent landlords can demand in advance will be limited to a maximum of just one month’s rent.

And the Bill goes even further still, by abolishing no fault evictions, applying Awaab’s law to the social rental sector, and ensuring landlords cannot unreasonably stop tenants having a pet.

All in all, these reforms mark the biggest boost to renters’ rights in a generation, and will make a real, tangible difference to so many thousands of people here in our town.