Member

The group of shared owners that this amendment seeks to protect are principally those who bought a flat in a block that needs remediation but who have subsequently had to move. Normally, a shared owner would sell his or her share in the block, but because of the difficulties of selling in a block that needs remediation—because of the safety issues post Grenfell—that has often been impossible, so they have had to sublet. Here comes the distinction from all the other landlords: shared owners cannot sublet without express consent from their registered provider, because subletting is banned from their leases. Such consent already gives robust protection to their tenants. Registered providers control and approve the rent that is being charged, in line with guidance set by the Government, so shared owners cannot evict a tenant simply to jack up the rent. In addition—this is a crucial point—registered providers can withhold permission to sublet at any point if rules are not adhered to. This another effective lever to prevent the abuse that the legislation seeks to ban.