Another delay for Renters’ Reform Bill

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 16^th 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.”