According to the parliamentary schedule for today (24th May) — the last day before parliament will be prorogued ahead of the general election on 4th July — the Renters Reform Bill is not scheduled to be debated, meaning the bill will fall once parliament is dissolved.
This means all legislation changes proposed in the bill — including the abolition of section 21 no-fault evictions — will not be implemented in the PRS.
The Renters Reform Bill was introduced to parliament on 17th May 2023, four years after it was first announced in the Queen’s Speech.
The bill received mixed reactions from industry experts, some of which are not convinced it will solve the country’s housing problems.
“We are deeply disappointed that the much-anticipated Renters Reform Bill will not pass into legislation due to the upcoming general election on July 4th”, said Allison Thompson, national lettings managing director at Leaders Romans Group.
“The failure to pass the Renters Reform Bill highlights the need for comprehensive housing policies that provide stability and address the critical issues facing the sector, principally the undersupply of good-quality rental homes.
“As the UK faces a housing crisis, it is imperative that the incoming government prioritises housing policies that ensure stability and long-term solutions.
“We urge the next administration to place housing at the heart of its agenda, providing the consistency and long-term focus that the sector desperately needs.”
Ben Beadle, chief executive at the NRLA, added: “Critically, the market now faces yet more crippling uncertainty about what the future of the PRS looks like.
“Reforming the sector will be an important issue for the next government and we will work constructively with them to ensure changes are fair and workable.
“That means empowering tenants to challenge rogue and criminal landlords while ensuring the confidence of responsible landlords to stay in the market.”