Brandon Lewis pledges bigger and better PRS

Housing minister Brandon Lewis has pledged to build a bigger, better private rental sector by increasingly housing supply.

Lewis was speaking at the Association of Residential Lettings Agents Conference 2016 at ExCel London.

He said: “The Private rented sector performs a vital role in the housing market, and we are committed to its continuous improvement.

“We’re determined to create a bigger, better private rented sector and are attracting billions of pounds of investment to build homes specifically for private rent, which will increase choice for tenants. Increasing supply is the key to raising quality and choice, and improving affordability.

“We have also introduced measures to ensure tenants can be confident they will get a fair deal.”

The event welcomed entrepreneur and TV personality Deborah Meaden and journalist and former Cabinet Minister Michael Portillo as speakers.

There was a roundtable discussion on fees, commissions, rent control and government priorities for the sector, chaired by Julian Worricker, with panellists from Generation Rent, Shelter and the National Landlords Association.

There was also a discussion around consumer laws, and whether they work, with Citizens Advice, the Residential Landlords Association and Hilary Osborne from The Guardian.

Peter Savage, president of ARLA, said: “Housing is an issue that is at the very top of the agenda at the moment and the fact that over 1000 people took the time to attend our conference and exhibition shows how true that is.

“The value of hearing from so many experts and debating real issues that face consumers and the industry cannot be underestimated. This year’s conference involved an extremely high standard of speakers, debates and audience which resulted in it being the most successful to date.”