Kate Osamor MP backs Bill to help make rented homes safer in Edmonton

Kate Osamor MP showed her support for renters in Edmonton on Friday 26^th October 2018, when the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Bill entered the Report Stage & Third Reading.

The Bill, which was been brought forward by MP Karen Buck, gives renters in Edmonton and across the country the right to take their landlord to court over unsafe and poor housing conditions.

More than 135,000 homes in London have a hazard in their rented home which poses a “serious and immediate risk to health and safety”, according to the recent official statistics. This is the equivalent of 1 in 12 rented homes in London.

The ‘Fitness for Human Habitation’ Bill has cross-party support and was backed by the government. It has also been supported by organisations across the housing sector, including Shelter, the Residential Landlords Association, the National Landlord Association and the National Housing Federation.

Kate Osamor was one of many MPs glad to see the Bill safely through its Third Reading on Friday 26^th October. The Bill has now successfully completed its stages in the House of Commons and will progress to the House of Lords and be scrutinised by a Parliamentary Committee.

Greg Beales, Campaigns Director at Shelter, said: “Every day at Shelter we hear from private and social renters forced to live in poor and sometimes dangerous conditions, unable to tackle safety concerns or legally challenge their landlord.

“Thanks to Kate Osamor and MPs from all the major parties, we are delighted to be one step closer to creating a minimum safety standard for rented homes. This Bill will help stamp out the actions of rogue landlords and protect renters across the country, and we’re looking forward to supporting it through its final stages before it becomes law”.

Kate Osamor, MP for Edmonton, said: “I’m proud to support the ‘Fitness for Human Habitation’ Bill, which will empower renters in Edmonton and give them a meaningful tool for getting poor and unsafe renting conditions seen to.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

• Data source: Analysis of raw data from English Housing Survey 14/15 by Shelter. Data is for all rented (private and social) homes.