Working Together for Better Housing in Newham

 

Recently I had the pleasure of welcoming landlords, managing agents, council officers and other guests to Newham's latest Landlord Forum.

As Cabinet Member for Housing and Statutory Deputy Mayor, I was delighted to open the event alongside Councillor Tonii Wilson, Deputy Cabinet Member for Housing.

Housing has been a major part of my working life for many years. Before returning to this role, I worked in social housing as a Tenancy Specialist, dealing with complex issues including anti-social behaviour, domestic abuse, safeguarding and tenancy fraud. That experience taught me that housing is never just about buildings. It is about people, communities and the opportunity for individuals and families to live safe and stable lives.

I also have a personal perspective as a Newham leaseholder and through family members and friends who are landlords. I understand that the overwhelming majority of landlords want to do the right thing, provide decent homes, comply with the law and be treated fairly. At the same time, I recognise that housing legislation is changing rapidly and can sometimes be difficult to navigate, particularly for smaller landlords.

The private rented sector faces one of its most significant periods of change in many years. New legislation and evolving regulations bring new responsibilities and higher expectations for everyone involved. While these changes present challenges, they also provide an opportunity to improve standards and strengthen confidence across the sector.

As a Council, our priority is clear: residents must live in safe, secure and well-managed homes. We will continue to take action against rogue landlords who fail to meet their legal responsibilities and put tenants at risk. Good landlords should never be undercut by those who ignore the rules.

However, enforcement alone is not enough.

We want to work constructively with good landlords and managing agents. We want to provide guidance, listen to concerns, share information and maintain an open and honest dialogue. Forums like this are an important part of that approach.

We will not always agree on every issue, and that is perfectly healthy. The relationship between a regulator and the regulated should include challenge and debate. My view is that even when we disagree, we can do so respectfully and professionally. We can agree to differ without being disagreeable.

What unites us is far greater than what divides us. We all want Newham residents to have access to safe, decent and well-managed homes. We all want thriving and stable communities. And we all want a private rented sector that is professional, sustainable and fit for the future.

Thank you to everyone who attended, contributed to the discussion and continues to play a role in housing Newham residents. I look forward to continuing these conversations and working together in the months and years ahead.

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