VICTORY IN BATTLE OVER UNFIT HOMES
Tories U-turn after our campaign
TORY ministers have U-turned over a bill to give three million people a chance to live in a decent home.
The Government has decided to take action after the Sunday Mirror and Labour teamed up last week to expose the plight of millions in unsafe homes.
Despite twice voting against a law to give tenants the legal right to challenge landlords, they have finally caved in.
Secretary of State for Housing Sajid Javid said: “Government will support new legislation that requires all landlords to ensure properties are safe and give tenants the right to take legal action if landlords fail in their duties.”
His pledge is a testament to Labour’s Karen Buck who has been fighting for tenants for years and tried to get the measures passed in 2015 and 2016.
She said: “I’m genuinely delighted that the Government have agreed to back this important measure to protect tenants. We know there are close to three million people in substandard housing. And this will let them hold their landlord to account.”
Last week, the Sunday Mirror pledged to back the bill, which Mrs Buck will present before Parliament on Friday. We revealed a million homes – 750,000 private and 250,000 in social housing – have a “Category 1 Hazard”. This includes cold, damp and fire risk.
In 2015 the bill was “talked out” meaning Parliament had no time to vote on it. The next year, 309 Tories voted against the measures.
keir.mudie@ mirror.co.uk