Government Must Rescue Brent's Private Tenants From Repossession Misery - Teather

4.36.02pm GMT Mon 8th Feb 2010

Local Brent MP Sarah Teather speaks up for local people in the House of Commons

Local Liberal Democrat MP for Brent East Sarah Teather has spoken up in support of new laws which would protect private tenants in Brent from sudden homelessness when their landlord is repossessed.

Charities such as Shelter, Citizens Advice, Crisis and the Chartered Institute of Housing have been campaigning to close a loophole in the law which is resulting in many people who rent privately, including families with young children being made homeless.

Sarah has frequently raised the issue in the House of Commons, yet despite repeated promises to protect tenants it has fallen to a backbench MP to propose real action. The Private Member's Bill could be the last chance to make sure that tenants can no longer come home to find the locks changed overnight.

Local Liberal Democrat MP for Brent East and Shadow Housing Minister Sarah Teather said:

"The untold story of the recession is the thousands of tenants who have returned home to find they have been thrown out and the locks changed through no fault of their own. It is completely unacceptable that the Labour government have stood back and let this happen.

"Thousands of people in Brent rent their home on the private sector. It is grossly unfair that local tenants can find themselves turned out on the street without any warning, despite having played by the rules and always paying their rent regularly and on time.

"Time and time again Labour have promised to take action, and time and time again they have flunked it because they are scared of upsetting the mortgage lenders. The government must be prepared to get tough with the banks by taking immediate action to protect the thousands of Brent residents who rent on the private market."

Related Links:

Sarah Teather speaking up for Brent's private tenants in the House of Commons

Brent Private Tenants Rights Group