Another delay for Renters’ Reform Bill

Another delay for Renters’ Reform Bill

0:04 AM, 15th September 2023, About 8 months ago 15

Text Size

The Renters’ Reform Bill has been delayed yet again!

The government confirmed that the second reading of the legislation will not take place until after the party conference season which ends on the 16th of October.

There is a relatively short window of opportunity for a second reading before the King’s Speech outlines Parliament’s agenda for the coming year on November 7th.

Use delayed time to clarify details about the bill

There seems to be no gap in the Parliamentary timetable for the second reading to happen but the NRLA say they believe the Bill will be carried over into the next session of Parliament after the Kings’ Speech.

Chris Norris, policy director at the NRLA, told Property118: “Given that Parliament only sits for a very limited number of days between the summer and party conference recesses, it was always quite likely that the Bill would not receive its second reading during this time.

“It is frustrating that time could not be found before the summer recess, but our understanding is that the Bill will be carried over into the next session of Parliament, after November’s King’s Speech,  meaning that it will have until Parliament is dissolved for the General Election to traverse both houses of parliament.

Mr Norris added that the government need to use this delayed time to clarify on details about the bill such as court reforms and periodic tenancies for students.

“The important thing right now is that the government uses this additional time to clarify their plans to reform the courts service alongside the renters reform proposals. Without courts which are well resourced and fit for purpose the Bill’s reforms will almost certainly fail.”

Time is running out

It is now more than four years since the government first unveiled its plans to improve renters’ rights – including the abolition of section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions.

Generation Rent claims that 120 days since the Bill had its first reading in May this year, 10,633 households have faced court action to evict them under Section 21 – 87 per day.

Ben Twomey, chief executive of Generation Rent, has written to Michael Gove to urge him to hold the second reading debate as soon as Parliament returns from its conference recess.

Mr Twomey says: “The longer the government delays the Renters (Reform) Bill, the more renters will face the agony of an arbitrary eviction, with the cost and stress that entails.

“Time is running out for Parliament to make progress and there is a real risk that because of delays, the Bill will never become law.

“Given popularity of the legislation, it would be shattering for renters if the bill doesn’t get its second reading before this session of Parliament ends. We cannot let this chance at reform disappear before our eyes.”

When approached by Property118, a spokesperson from the Department Levelling Up, said: “The Government remains absolutely committed to delivering a fairer private rented sector for tenants and landlords through the Renters Reform Bill. The bill which delivers our manifesto commitment is progressing through parliament and second reading will follow shortly.”


Share This Article


Comments

john thompson

14:44 PM, 15th September 2023, About 8 months ago

Best thing to do with that bill is chuck it in the bin, along with all the clueless morons in parliament, unless they want want even more landlords leaving the sector and rents skyrocketing again for tenants.

Well done Shelter vilifying landlords for trying to get shut of feckless, antisocial and none paying tenants, seems to have backfired for the very people you are supposed to be representing. Shelter the organization that shelters no one.

There's no free ride in this life, you'll end up paying some way in the end.

PH

15:56 PM, 15th September 2023, About 8 months ago

Mr Twomey says: “The longer the government delays the Renters (Reform) Bill, the more renters will face the agony of an arbitrary eviction, with the cost and stress that entails.

I know pal, and what about the cost and stress for the tenants as well. Oh sorry, that's what you meant. Must be agonising living in someone else's house without paying a penny just waiting to be re-housed .

Teessider

21:31 PM, 15th September 2023, About 8 months ago

“ Mr Twomey says: “The longer the government delays the Renters (Reform) Bill, the more renters will face the agony of an arbitrary eviction, with the cost and stress that entails.”

Let’s talk about ARBITRARY evictions, shall we Mr Twomey?

What evidence do you have that any evictions are arbitrary? Please remember, it’s the Courts that evict tenants, not landlords.

There is no rational reason for a landlord (whose business depends heavily on having a decent, law-abiding and rent-paying tenant). Why would a landlord ‘arbitrarily ‘ seek possession? Why would they want the rent to stop coming in?

john thompson

22:12 PM, 15th September 2023, About 8 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Teessider at 15/09/2023 - 21:31
Exactly...this sap has no common sense. A landlords very survival and the house they live in depends on good tenants. The vast majority of landlords don't get rid of good tenants, why would we? they are customers it makes no sense, we look after them.
I'm lucky to have good tenants at the moment, I have paid a fortune for and provided a beautiful, safe home for them, new kitchen, new bathroom, new carpets, completely redecorated, it's bigger and better than my house.
I look after them, all I ask of the tenants is that they they look after the the house and pay the rent on time and in full, it's more than a fair deal. I'm just the typical landlord.

JB

10:51 AM, 16th September 2023, About 8 months ago

"It is frustrating that time could not be found before the summer recess...." (for the bill's 2nd reading)

It sounds like Chris Norris, policy director at the NRLA WANTS this bill passed!!

Is he supposed to represent us?

Stella

11:24 AM, 16th September 2023, About 8 months ago

Reply to the comment left by JB at 16/09/2023 - 10:51
It has always bothered me why the NRLA have been so timid in their response to this bill especially at the beginning and regarding the loss of section 21 and the ending of fixed term tenancies.
It is just as important to have a fixed term for all types of accommodation as it is for student accommodation especially with all the extra expense of downtime, loss of rent, advertising, extra paperwork etc.

Teessider

19:16 PM, 16th September 2023, About 8 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Stella at 16/09/2023 - 11:24
We should always remember that the NRLA exist to improve the profits at the NRLA.

They are little better than Shelter in my opinion.

My tenants like the fixed terms that I offer. They get three years secure in the knowledge that I cannot issue S21.

Gromit

8:15 AM, 17th September 2023, About 8 months ago

Reply to the comment left by john thompson at 15/09/2023 - 14:44
Shelter are the champions of bad tenants (good, decent tenants never need to context Shelter), fighting for more ways for the feckless to illegal occupy properties, and thereby increase costs for genuine tenants.

Gromit

8:20 AM, 17th September 2023, About 8 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Teessider at 15/09/2023 - 21:31
Shelter, Generation Rent, et al have have to continuously spout their anti-Landlord nonsense to justify their ongoing existence to their gullible donors (who do not understand the damage they are doing to tenants as a whole).

Gromit

8:24 AM, 17th September 2023, About 8 months ago

Reply to the comment left by JB at 16/09/2023 - 10:51
NRLA only give token representation to Landlords as a ploy to flog their courses.

1 2

Leave Comments

In order to post comments you will need to Sign In or Sign Up for a FREE Membership

or

Don't have an account? Sign Up

Landlord Tax Planning Book Now