The government’s Renters Reform Bill has progressed through the parliamentary process and will be debated by MPs for the first time today.
The bill, which was introduced less than a month ago, seeks to “overhaul the experience of renters” according to the government.
This includes a proposed ban on Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions, a clamp down on rent increases and extension of the Decent Homes Standard to the private sector.
Under the bill, tenants would be in a stronger position to challenge “unreasonable” rent increases supported by a Tribunal with landlords only able to raise rent once a year. Any rent increases will be capped at the market rate.
Local councils will also be given stronger power to crack down on unfit landlords, with maximum fines increased up to £40,000 for serious offenders.
Tenants will also be able to request to have a pet, with landlords unable to unreasonably refuse.
Commenting on the bill’s second reading, deputy prime minister Angela Rayner said: “I am determined to get this bill into law as soon as possible. The thousands of children and families living in unsafe housing or under the cruel threat of a Section 21 eviction notice have been waiting far too long already.
“We will deliver on our promise to renters and transform the sector into one where families can put down roots, where children can grow up in healthy homes, and where young people can save for their future.”
However, the bill - in its current guise - has been negatively received by many in the industry.
The British Landlords Association has also been vocal on the issue and in a recent blog on the bill, the BLA called this a “disastrous piece of legislation” aimed at “overturning legislation that has worked well for over 40 years.”
This has become a source of lobbying activity. Recently, Propertymark wrote to housing minister Matthew Pennycook, MP, to voice concerns of the use of “anti-landlord rhetoric” and how this was pushing some to leave the market.
In the letter, dated 2nd October, Propertymark CEO Nathan Emerson wrote: “The bill in its current form is highly likely to exacerbate this situation with more landlords withdrawing homes from the private rented sector, frequently moving them to short term lets.”
Also concerned that the bill could favour renters at the sake of landlords is the NRLA which has urged MPs to strike the right balance.
Commenting on the second reading, Chris Norris - campaigns and policy director at the NRLA - said the government should support tenants while “avoiding throwing the baby out with the bathwater.”
Here, he cited research that 82% of private tenants are already satisfied with their accommodation: “The reality is that the vast majority of tenants already have a good relationship with their landlord. This should be the norm for everyone in the sector.
“Most importantly, with an average of 21 tenants now competing for every available home to rent, the bill must not worsen an already chronic shortage of homes in the sector. All this would do is weaken tenants’ purchasing power, making it more difficult for them to hold rogue and criminal landlords to account as a result.”
