A backbench MHK says it is ‘desperately disappointing’ that the island is slipping behind other jurisdictions when it comes to raising standards in rental accommodation.

Chris Robertshaw championed the Landlord and Tenant Private Housing Bill only to see it dropped by the House of Keys in February 2015 after a select committee recommended the ‘flawed’ proposals should be completely redrafted.

Landlords argued the Bill was confusing, unbalanced and favoured the rights of tenants.

Some two and a half years on, there is still no legislation in place to require landlords to be registered and meet minimum standards.

In the UK, meanwhile, moves to give greater protection to tenants and improve standards in the rental sector were announced during last week’s Tory Party conference.

Mr Robertshaw said: ‘It was desperately disappointing that Tynwald chose not to support the Landlord and Tenant Bill as clearly there is a need for such legislation.

‘What was conveniently overlooked at the time was that it would also have been helpful to good landlords as it set out the rights and responsibilities of both the landlord and the tenant.

‘There is a desperate need for such a bill but the current administration has given no indication thus far that it recognises this, resulting in the Isle of Man gradually slipping behind in this area compared to other jurisdictions.’

One of those who gave evidence to the Keys select committee was landlord Ian Abrahams who has 110 rental properties on his books in Douglas.

He claimed legislation aimed at improving standards could create a housing crisis as smaller landlords with no funds to upgrade their properties would just close down.

A private landlord for 30 years, Mr Abrahams told the committee he acted as an unpaid social worker, providing accommodation to anyone who hasn’t got a roof over their head, taking everyone on trust and not asking for a deposit.

Not all his tenants, however, are happy with the accommodation he provides.

Mia Kneale, 24, moved into a three-bedroom house on Clarke Street nine months ago, having previously lived in a flat on York Road, also owned by Mr Abrahams.

She pays £150 a week rent but claims the property is ‘barely habitable’ – citing problems with a back door that doesn’t close properly, uneven flooring, badly patched walls and a bathroom and kitchen that are not fit for purpose.

Out of work with a back problem, Mia said: ‘I’m trying to find somewhere else to move to.

‘But money coming in is low and it’s all I can afford.’

She has written to Chief Minister Howard Quayle urging the government to take action to improve standards.

Mr Abrahams, however, see its rather differently.

He says he was asked to step in to provide accommodation for Mia when she was in desperate need for a roof over her head and initially found a place for her in the flat on York Road.

Mr Abrahams said the property on Clarke Street, which he has owned for 30 years, had been habitable but wanted decorating when Mia moved in and she had signed a disclaimer – seen by iomtoday – accepting the property in its current state.

He maintained the problems had been caused by work being carried out, without permission, by the tenant’s partner – and claimed she was ‘well in arrears’ with her rent.

He said the property had been re-roofed at a cost of £3,000, the boiler serviced and a new back door would be fitted in the next few weeks.

* See a letter from Mr Abrahams on this subject in next week’s Examiner