Rents vote update
Josh Fenton-Glynn has accused Craig Whittaker of letting down his constituents as he votes against banning letting agent fees
Calder Valley parliamentary candidate Josh Fenton-Glynn has expressed his disappointment at Craig Whittaker's decision to vote against a move to ban letting agents charging huge fees in a Commons debate yesterday.
The Labour candidate had written to the Calder Valley MP calling on him to back an amendment to the Consumer Rights Bill which would have seen the charging of fees to tenants for signing tenancy agreements and renewals outlawed.
But Mr Whittaker voted against the motion and along with his Tory and Lib Dem colleagues, ensured it was defeated in the Parliamentary vote.
Josh Fenton-Glynn told the HebWeb: "Our Tory MP has let his constituents down by dogmatically following his party whips and voting against this measure which would have made a huge difference to the millions of families across the UK in private rented housing.
"When you buy a house you don't have to pay any fees to the estate agent, so how can it be right that people renting properties have to hand over an average £350 in admin fees just to get hold of the keys, and often have to splash out again to renew their tenancies?
"Mr Whittaker had the chance to vote to end this disparity but instead voted against the amendment. Calder Valley needs an MP who will stand up for local people struggling with a cost-of-living crisis, not a dogmatic politician who puts his party before his constituents' interests."
Josh Fenton-Glynn calls on Craig Whittaker to support those who rent by voting to ban Letting Agent Fees for Tenants
Tuesday, 13 May 2014
Labour Prospective Parlaimentary Candidate, Josh Fenton-Glynn has today written to the Local MP Craig Whittaker calling on him to back Labour's amendment to the Consumer Rights Bill, an amendment which would ban letting agent fees for tenants. The amendment will be debated later on Tuesday in the House of Commons, after which Labour will call a vote.
A copy of the open letter is below.
Dear Mr Whittaker
Nine million people are living in rented homes today, more than a million families, and more than two million children. With tenants in Calder Valley facing rip-off fees from lettings agents and insecure tenancies, Labour has announced the biggest change in a generation to make the system fairer for renters.
On Tuesday, MPs of all political parties will have the chance to implement an important part of this plan - banning letting agent fees to tenants.
Tenants are hit by huge upfront costs through unfair letting agent fees. A survey of letting agents found that 94 per cent imposed additional charges on tenants on top of the deposit and rent in advance. Fees are extremely variable, but on average tenants are forced to pay £355 to their lettings agents every time they move house with some paying as much as £500. These costs are putting addition pressure on renters with 54 per cent of people surveyed saying they faced financial difficulties covering fees.
The amendment to the Consumer Rights Bill, to be voted on this Tuesday, will give all MPs the chance to stand with renters and make a real difference to their lives by banning letting fees to tenants.
I'm writing to call on you to support the amendment. The next Labour government will pass legislation to ban letting agent fees for tenants and to introduce longer-term tenancies with predictable rents. But on Tuesday all MPs will have a chance to stand for the nine million people who rent. If you fail to vote for the amendment, all those who rent in Calder Valley will be entitled to ask why you won't stand up for them.
In light of the public interest in this matter I am releasing a copy of this letter to the press.
Yours sincerely
Josh Fenton-Glynn
Labour PPC for Calder Valley
Tenants are hit by huge upfront costs through unfair letting agent fees. A survey of letting agents found that 94 per cent imposed additional charges on tenants on top of the deposit and rent in advance. Fees are extremely variable, but on average tenants are forced to pay £355 to their lettings agents every time they move house with some paying as much as £500. These costs are putting addition pressure on renters with 54 per cent of people surveyed saying they faced financial difficulties covering fees.