MPs have called for tougher action to be taken against social housing tenants who engage in antisocial behaviour. Speaking in Westminster Hall, Reform UK MP Lee Anderson proposed a “three strikes and you’re out” policy for “feral families” whose neighbours are affected by their conduct. Anderson claimed that the threat of eviction could motivate offenders to become better tenants. Labour MP Steve Yemm criticised the proposal as too liberal and demanded a zero tolerance policy.
Labour housing minister Alex Norris admitted that current eviction laws did not always work and said that tougher measures were being developed by the government. However, Liberal Democrat housing spokesman Gideon Amos argued that better funding for police and councils to use existing powers would be a more effective deterrent to antisocial behaviour.
Andrew Cooper, another Labour MP, called for an end to the practice of placing tenants grappling with addiction in social housing without providing adequate support. Shadow housing secretary Kevin Hollinrake suggested that social housing should be a “privilege not a right”. Hollinrake agreed with Anderson’s proposal but argued that a “three strikes” policy should be a maximum, not a minimum.
Norris echoed Hollinrake’s view, stating that penalties for persistent offences should be serious and identified a gap in current legislation which permitted only limited action against repeat offenders. He also outlined ongoing work on the Renters’ Rights Bill, including new powers for social landlords to seek immediate evictions in the most serious cases.
Norris concluded by emphasising that supporting families, particularly single mothers, should remain a priority
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