Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Latest News:
    • John Stevenson MP calls on Local Early Career Professionals to Apply for exciting new UK Young Academy
    • John Stevenson MP welcomes bold NRG Levelling Up Proposals to Government
    • Oral Question: Skillset Diversity in Health and Social Care Non-Executive Directors
    • Parliamentary Speech: Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill
    • John Stevenson MP welcomes the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill whilst urging Government to be more Ambitious again
    • John Stevenson MP backs plan to improve Healthcare Access across Carlisle
    • Statement from John Stevenson MP: Vote of Confidence Result
    • Statement from John Stevenson MP: Vote of Confidence
    Subscribe
    Facebook
    John Stevenson MP
    MP For Carlisle
    • Home
    • Coronavirus
    • News
      1. Latest News
      2. In Parliament
      3. E-Bulletins
      Featured
      14th April 20200

      The Coronavirus Crisis

      Recent
      24th June 2022

      John Stevenson MP calls on Local Early Career Professionals to Apply for exciting new UK Young Academy

      20th June 2022

      John Stevenson MP welcomes bold NRG Levelling Up Proposals to Government

      9th June 2022

      John Stevenson MP welcomes the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill whilst urging Government to be more Ambitious again

    • About John
    • Photo Gallery
    • Events & Surgeries
    • Get In Touch
    John Stevenson MP
    You are at:Home»In Parliament»Tenant Fees Bill
    Parliament

    Tenant Fees Bill

    0
    By John Stevenson on 21st May 2018 In Parliament

    John Stevenson: I will make just a short contribution, Madam Deputy Speaker. I first draw the House’s attention to my entry in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests. I am a solicitor at a legal practice that owns an estate agents.

    As we know, Second Reading debates are about the general principles of a Bill, and that is where I want to concentrate my speech. My instinct is to be very careful about legislation of this nature, or at least to be suspicious of it—in a healthy way, I would like to think. I believe in free markets. They generally produce better services through competition, higher standards and better value for money for the consumer. The important thing about free markets is that there are lower barriers to entry, which helps to create that competitive environment, and with fewer statutory requirements, it is much easier for individuals to set up businesses and create more choice for the consumer.

    Introducing regulation does, therefore, have drawbacks. As we all know, it can distort markets, increase rents and have other unintended consequences. It can reduce competition and therefore increase prices and impose barriers to entry, and it often leads to more interference and yet more regulation. A good example is the legal services market—there is far too much regulation in the provision of legal services. When I served on the Communities and Local Government Select Committee several years ago, we looked at this very issue and concluded that it was not the time for regulation, although the Committee was open-minded about the possibility and thought it something the Government should consider later.

    The question, then, is whether the time is right now. Quite clearly, the Government think it is. I, too, recognise that markets are not perfect, and it is right and proper that the Government interfere and regulate where appropriate to help markets, particularly where a section of society is being adversely affected, but the goal must always be to improve matters for the consumer. We should take a bit of a history lesson. When assured shorthold tenancies were first introduced, in the 1980s, they changed the housing market dramatically. We must remember, however, that it was a much smaller market back then, with fewer landlords and fewer tenants seeking private rented accommodation. Interestingly, the legislation was introduced because there had been too much regulation and interference in the private housing market. It was an opportunity to free up the market, encourage landlords into the rented market and improve tenant choice.

    I fully accept that the letting market has changed fundamentally and radically since the 1980s. Some 20% of our housing market is now in the private rented sector. In many respects, that was accelerated from about 2008 onwards. It is a very different environment. We now have accidental landlords up and down the country—people who unexpectedly have become landlords —and many more letting agencies. It is a thriving industry in a way it was not in the 1980s, and there is a host of tenants with very different needs looking for comfort in the knowledge that when they deal with letting agents they will be dealt with in properly and fairly.

    We have to recognise that some letting agencies have been exploiting the deficiencies in the housing market. As everyone does, I acknowledge that the property market has changed significantly. In many respects, the whole issue of property ownership is in need of review, right across the spectrum, including the relationship between social housing and the private rented sector. Interestingly, back in 2015, when Carlisle was hit by floods, the people who were flooded did not turn to the social housing market for accommodation, even though it was available; they turned to the private sector. We should recognise, then, that the private sector has a huge contribution to make to the housing market.

    It is generally accepted, however, that the time is also coming to look at the nature of assured shorthold tenancies. They were introduced in the 1980s in a different time. Perhaps that is something that in time the Government will look at. Estate agents are often letting agents as well, and it seems strange that someone could into an office were one side is regulated but the other is not.

    The housing market is hugely significant at so many levels in our country. We have to recognise the importance of property as a source of taxation and that many people aspire to own their own house and get on the housing ladder and that it is also a source of capital for business investment but that the lack of housing in the various markets also affects individuals and families, as we all know.

    I have concluded that we now live in such a different market that I will support the Bill. On balance, it is clearly in the interests of tenants, but it is also in the interests of good landlords and letting agents that act with integrity. I encourage the Government to ensure that the Bill preserves a competitive environment for letting agents—that is vital—and that it be enforced in a pragmatic and sensible way to the benefit of tenants and the market. I plead with the Government to ensure that we end up not with too much regulation but with effective regulation.

    I believe that the Bill is the start of a sensible review of our housing market at all its various levels and with all its various requirements. I encourage the Government to look at all aspects of the property ownership markets and the taxation of property, because I think we are in danger of ending up with piecemeal legislation. The ultimate goal must be a working market that benefits everyone.

    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email

    Related Posts

    Oral Question: Skillset Diversity in Health and Social Care Non-Executive Directors

    Parliamentary Speech: Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill

    Oral Question: Policies

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    Newsletter

    Enter your information below to stay up to date with John Stevenson's Newsletter. All emails include an unsubscribe link. You may opt-out at any time. The information you enter here will be stored in line with our Privacy Notice.

    Please wait...

    Thank you for signing up!

    • Skills & Apprenticeships
    • Infrastructure
    • Business & Investment
    • Charities
    • The NHS
    14th April 2022

    John Stevenson MP Welcomes £4,104,659 in Funding to Level Up the Carlisle area

    6th January 2022

    “New Year, New Career Opportunities!” says John Stevenson MP for Carlisle

    17th December 2021

    John Stevenson, MP for Carlisle has Welcomed News of a Skills Boost to Support More People into Jobs

    10th November 2021

    ‘It’s not too late to sign up for the Skills Fair!’ says John Stevenson, MP for Carlisle

    14th April 2022

    John Stevenson MP Welcomes £4,104,659 in Funding to Level Up the Carlisle area

    2nd June 2021

    Carlisle MP Welcomes Openreach’s Full Fibre Commitment

    14th May 2021

    Carlisle MP Welcomes Announcements in Queen’s Speech

    21st April 2021

    Carlisle MP asks Rural Constituents to Take Part in Open Consultation on ‘Improving Broadband for Very Hard to Reach Premises’

    20th May 2022

    John Stevenson Praises Cumbrian Baby Formula Manufacturer for coming to the Rescue of Stricken Families in the US

    14th April 2022

    John Stevenson MP Welcomes £4,104,659 in Funding to Level Up the Carlisle area

    7th April 2022

    John Backs University of Cumbria and Imperial College London Plans for a New Medical School in Carlisle

    25th March 2022

    John Stevenson MP visits Carlisle Cathedral to show Support for English Tourism Week

    31st May 2022

    Carlisle MP John Stevenson visits Prism Arts

    27th May 2022

    John Stevenson MP has welcomed news of a £48,000 Government Grant to Carlisle Youth Zone

    26th October 2021

    John Stevenson MP backs Guide Dogs Campaign on the use of E-scooters

    2nd August 2021

    John Stevenson MP Supports Wetheral’s Oak Tree Animals’ Charity

    8th June 2022

    John Stevenson MP backs plan to improve Healthcare Access across Carlisle

    7th April 2022

    John Backs University of Cumbria and Imperial College London Plans for a New Medical School in Carlisle

    3rd December 2021

    John Stevenson MP urges people in Carlisle to get their Booster Jab on ‘Boost Day’

    2nd August 2021

    John Stevenson MP Welcomes Opening of new Coronavirus Local Test Site in Carlisle

    Latest Photos
    John in discussion at NRG Conference 2022
    John holding green sign that reads "I'm backing healthier communities" regarding a campaign to ensure more local access to GP surgeries and other healthcare services across Carlisle
    John carries Commemorative Rose at Falklands Events
    John with Students on Dream Week Placement
    John with Mark Jenkinson MP and Cumbria Order
    John with Clark Door Limited supporting Family Business
    Search by Category
    • Agriculture
    • Arts & Culture
    • Business & Investment
    • Charities
    • Communities & Local Government
    • Crime & Police
    • Education
    • Energy
    • Health & The NHS
    • Housing
    • In Parliament
    • Infrastructure
    • Latest News
    • Publications
    • Skills & Apprenticeships
    • Transport
    • Work & Pensions
    John on Facebook
    John Stevenson MP

    20 hours ago

    John Stevenson MP
    www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/20222742.carlisle-mp-john-stevenson-say-levelling-north-agenda/ ... See MoreSee Less

    MP thinks 'regional devolution and decision making is the key' to levelling up

    www.newsandstar.co.uk

    CARLISLE MP John Stevenson has said it is 'regional devolution and decision making is the key'- after a levelling up conference was held in...
    View on Facebook
    · Share

    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

    John Stevenson MP

    2 days ago

    John Stevenson MP
    View on Facebook
    · Share

    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

    About

    JOHN STEVENSON

    John was educated at Aberdeen Grammar School and Dundee University. John subsequently qualified as a solicitor in 1990. In 2010 John was elected Conservative MP for Carlisle and was re-elected with an increased majority in 2015. John was re-elected again in 2017 and 2019 with a new majority of 8319. Carlisle is the only city in Cumbria and John enjoys representing a constituency at Westminster with such a strong identity.

    Latest Posts
    24th June 2022

    John Stevenson MP calls on Local Early Career Professionals to Apply for exciting new UK Young Academy

    20th June 2022

    John Stevenson MP welcomes bold NRG Levelling Up Proposals to Government

    9th June 2022

    Oral Question: Skillset Diversity in Health and Social Care Non-Executive Directors

    Photo Gallery
    John in discussion at NRG Conference 2022
    John holding green sign that reads "I'm backing healthier communities" regarding a campaign to ensure more local access to GP surgeries and other healthcare services across Carlisle
    John carries Commemorative Rose at Falklands Events
    John with Students on Dream Week Placement
    John with Mark Jenkinson MP and Cumbria Order
    John with Clark Door Limited supporting Family Business
    John with Rob and Claire Story of Story Decorating
    John attending meeting at Carlisle Cathedral celebrating EnglishTourismWeek21, which included tourism businesses from across Carlisle
    John and Chairman of Cumbria Tourism, Jim Walker, at restaurant during the 'Eat out to Help out' scheme
    John and Chairman of Cumbria Tourism, Jim Walker, at restaurant during the 'Eat out to Help out' scheme
    John at Carlisle Skills Fair 2020
    John at Carlisle Skills Fair 2020
    Copyright © 2015 JOHN STEVENSON. This website is funded from Parliamentary Allowances.
    • About John
    • Privacy Notice
    • Get In Touch

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.