In a statement published ahead of the Renters Reform Bill’s report stage today (24th April), the Renters Reform Coalition stated its disapproval of the current “watered down” bill, claiming that in its current form, the bill would be a failure.
The Renters Reform Bill is scheduled to go through the report stage in the House of Commons today.
Several amendments are tabled for debate, including proposals to:
While some organisations, including the NRLA, have been supportive of the bill and its latest amendments, the Renters Reform Coalition said the current reform does not deliver on the promises made in the 2019 Conservative manifesto.
“Instead of engaging with us, the bill has been watered down again and again by the government, with several rounds of damaging concessions to backbenck MPs that have fundamentally weakened it — and the amendments tabled recently by the government are just the final straw,” said the statement.
“This is not acceptable and so we are making it clear that our support cannot be taken for granted. We will keep pushing for the best version of reform for private renters while there is still time for the legislation to be improved,” said Rosie Dutch, campaign officer at the Renters Reform Coalition.
The organisation set out a list of conditions in order for it to fully support the package of rental reforms, which include:
