Member

Turning to Amendment 28 in the name of the noble Lord, Lord Best, I must express some concern regarding this amendment, which could result in tenants initially securing an affordable home, with the reassurance of the amendment to cap increases for a four-year period, only to find it rendered unaffordable due to subsequent enhancements. Moreover, it must be noted that the amendment leaves it up to the tribunal to determine whether exceptional circumstances apply in each case. Rather than reducing the burden on our court system, we fear this would create significant additional work for it. It must be stressed that the amendment would afford landlords the right to challenge the tribunal’s decisions while denying tenants the same opportunity to recourse. This is just not an acceptable outcome, and I hope that on the basis of these points, the noble Lord, Lord Best, will not press these amendments to a vote.