There is new hope for hard-pressed tenants in Cambridge who would like greater security and more certainty over future rent-levels, says Cambridge Labour’s Parliamentary spokesperson Daniel Zeichner. The Labour Party has today published the second in a series of policy review documents looking at changes Labour will make to the rules around private rented homes.

A key finding is that both landlords and tenants would benefit from longer tenancies and more certainty about rent levels and rises. Looking at examples from other European countries, Labour is considering tax incentives to reward longer-term tenancy agreements, and for those on benefits, direct payments to landlords. The research shows that short-term tenancies are particularly damaging for families with children, where frequent moves are a major extra cost and disruption to education.

Mr Zeichner is a member of Labour’s national policy commission looking at the future of housing. He says that with many private rented properties in the City, this is an important issue in Cambridge: “With housing costs in Cambridge taking home-ownership out of reach of many families, renting is increasingly a long-term option for many people. The fees, charges and general hassle associated with short-term tenancies make life a misery for too many people. Labour will work with landlords to make sure that we get the right balance and ensure they make a realistic return, while also making sure that tenants have a home in which they feel secure.”

Labour’s Policy Review report can be found at:

http://www.labouremail.org.uk/files/uploads/8bca86ae-619e-06c4-954f-edec511f1991.pdf