Big private landlord backs abolishing the private rented sector

The Green Party’s controversial policy to abolish private landlords has “a lot of merits” despite only being unachievable over “a very long time,” a big private landlord has surprisingly revealed.

John Kane, who has a portfolio of properties across the Midlands, made the eye-raising comment during a discussion on BBC Politics Midlands with the motion’s co-sponsor, Worcester City Councillor Alex Mace (main image).

The Green Party voted at its October conference to maek the effective abolition of private landlordism official policy alongside a commitment to build more council houses.

I think the policy has a lot of merits and I think it would be an ideal world for people to have their accommodation provided through the state rather than private enterprise.”

Kane says: “I think the policy has a lot of merits and I think it would be an ideal world for people to have their accommodation provided through the state rather than private enterprise.”

The landlord, though, questioned the practicality of implementing such sweeping changes and what it would mean for both landlords and tenants.

He adds: “Private landlords are not all Rachman-type companies. A typical landlord runs three or four properties – it’s their pension.”

Parliaments

During the discussion, Mace told Kane that, if the Greens win the general election in 2029, it would “take a number of parliaments” before the party reduced the number of private landlords to the level it wants.

Asked where councils would get the money to purchase properties, Mace claimed it would be via the “same places landlords have been getting it”, including borrowing and rental income.

“Rather than going to landlords and being paid back in tax, the entire rent goes back to the council,” he added.

Mace also explained that the aim was not to abolish all landlords altogether, but that it would drastically reduce the proportion of privately rented homes.

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Author: Gemma