Posted on 19th September 2024
The Renters’ Rights Bill
Last week saw the Renters’ Rights Bill, the Labour government’s own version of the previous Conservative government’s Renters’ Reform Bill, introduced to parliament. Some commentators are anticipating the implementation of the bill to be next summer but as always we are advising not to take anything as set in stone given the last government took 5 years with their version and no bill was ever passed.
Given the general clamour for the abolition of so-called ‘no fault’ evictions in the media and the government, coupled with the government’s sizeable parliamentary majority, this time round should be more successful though. Time is also on their side given the election has just recently taken place and a probable 5 year parliament lies ahead.
So, what does the bill look like? Well, pretty similar to the last one with some minor differences.
Section 21 notices will be banned. The previous government had planned to delay this part of the bill (despite being the stand-out issue) indefinitely as they felt the current court system would be overloaded with work. Until that was reformed, they said, Section 21s would remain. Alas, the current government don’t seem to be as concerned about this and currently there is no talk of delays.
Awaab’s Law extended – named after the toddler who tragically died in Rochdale after exposure to extensive mould, the law would place more stringent requirements on private landlords to investigate and repair such hazards in a speedy timeframe.
Ban on mid-tenancy rent hikes with landlords only able to increase the rent once a year.
Allowing pets by ensuring landlords do not ‘unreasonably refuse’ a request from a tenant. How this can ever be policed is another matter.
Bidding wars crackdown to prevent tenants going up against each other by increasing offers above the asking price.
Removal of fixed-term tenancies to make all new tenancies periodic from the beginning to give tenants more flexibility on moving out early if they need to.
Ban on benefit discrimination to ensure landlords cannot look unfavourably on tenants who are on housing benefit or have children.
There’s also proposals for a new property ombudsman to referee disputes between landlords and tenants as well as a database for landlords to register onto, similar to the previous bill. In addition to this, the possibility of no means to evict in the first 12 months even if a landlord is wanting to sell or move back in is also being suggested. Serious breaches of the tenancy, such as rent arrears, would still be a case for eviction though.
Experts have already written that there may well be changes during the bill’s journey through both the House of Commons and House of Lords so, as previously mentioned, don’t presume anything yet until the bill is signed off and actually becomes law.