Responding to the news that the second reading of the renters Reform Bill is expected to happen next week, Joanna Elson, Chief Executive of national older person’s charity Independent Age, said:
“At long last, there is some light at the end of a very dark tunnel for private renters as the second reading of the delayed Renters Reform Bill is expected next week. This will provide some hope for older private renters on a low income who are living in unsafe and unsuitable homes.
“For every day the Bill has been delayed, many of the older people we support are living in privately rented homes that are infested with rats, have holes in the floor and in conditions that are dangerous for their health and wellbeing. The people we speak to tell us they fear raising these issues with their landlord because it could get them evicted.
“Now the UK Government must urgently progress the Bill, including an end to ‘no fault’ evictions and outlaw the practice by landlords of banning benefit recipients, which often end up hurting older renters on a low fixed income who receive social security payments.
“Over 400,000 privately rented homes have an older person living there. They can’t wait any longer, and neither should the UK Government.”
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Notes to editor
For media enquiries please contact
Amy Dodge, Media Communications Manager at Independent Age, amy.dodge@independentage.org 07732 691466