MP welcomes protections for bereaved families against predatory landlords

An MP has welcomed new measures which will protect bereaved families from being pursued by “predatory” landlords.

On Tuesday, Helen Hayes, Member of Parliament for Dulwich and West Norwood, welcomed action by the Government to protect bereaved guarantors from being hounded by landlords for rent payments.

Ms Hayes has been campaigning for this change since July 5, 2024, after a tragic case in her constituency where parents were held liable for rental payments after their son died by suicide.

She said: “No family should have been treated like my constituents. They tragically lost their son to suicide in his first year of university, shortly after he signed a tenancy for his second year. 

“My constituents, like parents of university students across the country, signed a guarantor agreement. Their son died before he was even able to move into the flat, yet the letting agency insisted they remained liable for rent payments and responsible for finding a new tenant.

“This was cruel and completely unnecessary. Landlords can insure against the loss of rent in the event of the death of a tenant, so there is no excuse for placing this additional strain on someone who has just been bereaved.”

Ms Hayes tabled amendments to the Renters’ Rights Bill which returned to the House of Commons for debate this week. 

The amendments sought to ban guarantor agreements from being applicable in the event of the death of a tenant. This means that rental income lost due to the death of a tenant becomes a matter for a landlord’s insurance policy.

Ms Hayes amendments received broad support from all sides of the House of Commons. 

She said: “I am grateful to everyone who has supported my amendments, and I am pleased that the Government has responded and that the Bill will protect bereaved families.

Renters across Dulwich and West Norwood have been let down for too long facing poor standards, soaring rents and at risk of short notice evictions. 

“I am proud to support this transformative Bill.”

The Renters’ Rights Bill will introduce the largest reforms to the private rented sector for over thirty years. 

The Bill introduces new and stronger protections for tenants including a ban on Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions, a ban on rental bidding wars and the extension of the Decent Homes Standard and Awaab’s law to the private rented sector.

Pictured top: Helen Hayes, Member of Parliament for Dulwich and West Norwood (Picture: Helen Hayes)