Landlords and Tories plot to scupper Labour's rental bill

Top Tories are in private talks with big landlords in a bid to thwart Labour’s Renters’ Rights Bill, it has emerged.

- ARCHIE MITCHELL

In a bid to scupper the legislation, which overhauls private renting laws to give more protection to renters, senior Conservatives have met landlords to consider options, including a legal challenge under human rights law.

In a meeting between some of the UK’s biggest landlords and shadow housing minister Jane Scott, the group discussed ideas including challenges in the courts and delaying the legislation with repeated amendments in the Lords, it was reported.

Three people in attendance told The Guardian that Baroness Scott also vowed to do everything she could to force debates on multiple amendments to the bill, promising she could delay it until the autumn at least.

Campaign group Acorn said there is a “coordinated attempt by landlords and their supporters within the Lords to frustrate the progress of the Renters’ Rights Bill”.