A Call for Fair Renting in Bournemouth

Published: 17 March 2025

Renters deserve dignity.

Everyone tells me this, whether they’re a renter or a landlord. But our rented sector is broken, and I’m determined to put it right.

Housing is a priority for me because it is a priority for so many constituents. At a time when people feel so hopeless about the ability of politicians to do anything to improve their lives, I know people need to feel this change.

Every week, I get emails and am stopped in the street by renters crying out for change. Rogue landlords are forcing families to sleep together in the dining room because their flat is cramped. Rogue landlords are forcing parents to fight mould that triggers chronic asthma.

Our rented sector is damaged by rogue landlords, but it’s not dominated by them. I’ve met many landlords who invest in proper insulation, fix faulty sockets, and offer stability. It angers me that decent landlords who want to earn a little extra money and care for their tenants are being undermined.

But I’ve met rogue landlords who force renters to face cramped, unsafe homes. They are the bad apples, forcing pensioners to put up with dangerous wiring that takes years to fix.

A rogue landlord forced a renter to face mould so severe that mushrooms were growing in the bathroom grout. Another rogue landlord was fine with children developing asthma from damp that turned out to be their fault. It wasn’t the case, as the landlord claimed, that “laundry habits” were to blame.

And they make renters live this under the shadow of “no-fault” evictions. Every renter I’ve spoken with is anxious about ending up homeless. If we accept there is a problem, the question then becomes: what’s the fix?

I am proud to vote for the Government’s new Renters’ Rights Bill to end no-fault evictions and give renters security. When it becomes law, it will rescue the reputation of decent landlords who already meet its standards. The Bill will target rogue landlords and make it harder for them to profit from unsafe living conditions.

I am committed to acting locally, too. Recently, I hosted a roundtable for renters in Boscombe. I’ll be holding more across town. I want to listen and understand, so that I can properly represent my constituents. I have just launched a survey to hear from people directly, and I encourage you to complete it and share it with others.

We have to get this right because renting is the reality for so many families, professionals, and retirees. One in three households in my constituency live in the private rented sector. This is double the national average, and this number will grow as people move to town from elsewhere in the UK.

With strong legislation and strong local action, we can make sure every rented home is safe for the people who live in it.

The survey can be found here: www.tomhayes.org.uk/rental-survey