When I think back to one of my first big challenges after being elected last year, the story that stands out is the eviction of every tenant from the Slipway apartments in Whitehaven.
Dozens of residents were told they had just two months to pack up and leave their homes – not because they’d done anything wrong, but because the law allowed it. Many had lived there for years, one woman in her 80s for decades. It was a devastating experience for the people involved, and it placed real pressure on already-stretched local housing services.
That injustice has stayed with me ever since, and last week I’m proud that we finally took the action needed to stop it happening again. The government’s Renters’ Rights Act has now become law – banning so-called “no-fault” evictions and giving renters more security in their homes.
Across England, around 11 million people rent privately. Here in West Cumbria, thousands of families and individuals do the same – and they’ll now be protected from being forced out of their homes without good reason.
The new law doesn’t just ban unfair evictions. It’s the biggest shake-up of the private rented sector in more than 40 years. It extends the Decent Homes Standard to private rented properties, so tenants can expect safer, better-maintained homes. It introduces an independent Ombudsman to deal with complaints quickly and fairly. It stops landlords and agents from driving up prices through rental bidding wars. And it gives tenants new rights to request a pet, which landlords can only refuse on reasonable grounds.
These are fair, practical measures – good news for renters, but also for good landlords. The vast majority of landlords here in West Cumbria already do the right thing: they look after their properties, charge fair rents, and treat tenants with respect. For them, this Act simply levels the playing field, driving out rogue operators who undercut responsible landlords by cutting corners or exploiting loopholes.
Of course, the Act won’t fix every issue in our local housing market. We still face a serious shortage of homes for rent and for sale. That’s why the government’s commitment to build 1.5 million new homes – including affordable and social housing – is so vital. I’ll be working with the government and the council to ensure we get our fair share of those here.
Everyone deserves a safe, secure home – whether they rent or own. The Renters’ Rights Act is an important step toward that goal, and I’m determined to make sure it delivers real results for people here in West Cumbria.
Josh MacAlister MP 