Controversial Renters Reform Bill to be published next week – possibly

Controversial Renters Reform Bill to be published next week – possibly

14:29 PM, 4th May 2023, About 12 months ago 41

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The long-awaited Renters’ Reform Bill which could lead to a massive shake-up of the private rented sector (PRS) is set to be published next week.

However, there is no confirmed date and no mention of it in the Parliamentary timetable for next week.

And the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities could not confirm a specific date or time for the Bill’s publication to Property118 because of the King’s Coronation this weekend. However, it was confirmed that the Bill will be published.

The Bill is set to include a wide range of reforms for the PRS and is expected to include scrapping Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions and giving all tenants the right to request a pet in their home.

It was first announced by the government in April 2019 and in June 2022, the government published a white paper, A Fairer Private Rented Sector, which outlined some of the reforms.

‘Better protected against arbitrary rent increases’

On Sky News, housing secretary Michael Gove confirmed the Bill will be published next week.

He said: “The Renters Reform Bill will change the way in which the relationship between landlords and tenants work, providing tenants with new protection which should ensure they are better protected against arbitrary rent increases.”

However, there is nothing currently scheduled for next week’s Parliamentary timetable.

‘Much-needed clarity for letting agents and landlords’

In response to the news, Ben Beadle, the chief executive of the National Residential Landlords’ Association (NRLA) posted on Twitter: “As expected, the Renters Reform Bill will be published next week. Confirmed by the Secretary of State this morning. Should be an interesting week.”

Timothy Douglas, head of policy and campaigns, at Propertymark, said: “This announcement and the long-awaited introduction of legislation from the UK Government to reform the private rented sector in England will help bring much-needed clarity for letting agents and their landlords.

“The Legislation is likely to focus on improving standards and the quality of property in the sector so Propertymark will be scrutinising the proposals, pushing for amendments where necessary and championing the role of letting agents to ensure the reforms are workable and fit for purpose.”


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Comments

Judith Wordsworth

10:39 AM, 6th May 2023, About 12 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Dennis Forrest at 05/05/2023 - 14:48
Request which cannot reasonably be denied. The all important word is reasonably.
If your Lease has a no pets or restricted pets clause then that would be reasonable to deny a tenant to have pets.
Every tenant for a leasehold property should have to sign a Deed to abide by their landlords Leasehold obligations, bar ground rent and service charges

Seething Landlord

16:57 PM, 6th May 2023, About 12 months ago

Since the Bill is apparently going to be published within days there is absolutely no point in speculating about what might be in it. The time for intensive lobbying will be when it reaches the committee stage.

SCP

18:01 PM, 6th May 2023, About 12 months ago

Reply to the comment left by DSR at 05/05/2023 - 14:15
Hi
The Bill will state when s.21 is abolished.
It can say that it is abolished forthwith or from such and such date.
I think the Bill becomes an Act of Parliament when it receives the Royal Assent.

Reluctant Landlord

18:14 PM, 8th May 2023, About 12 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Judith Wordsworth at 06/05/2023 - 10:33
so realistically a long way yet until it becomes law from what you explain?

Paul Essex

20:58 PM, 8th May 2023, About 12 months ago

Reply to the comment left by DSR at 08/05/2023 - 18:14
The real question is will Section 21s in the system still be processed after the cut off date. With some courts having backlogs of a year or more this could render Section 21s redundant much earlier.

Reluctant Landlord

22:08 PM, 9th May 2023, About 11 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Paul Essex at 08/05/2023 - 20:58
I presume there is nothing stopping the LL issuing a S8 straight away IF there is a potential issue of the existing S21 falling shy of the 'cut off' date?

Unless of course there are no mandatory grounds in the 'new' S8 that the LL could rely on? (lets face it ANYONE who is going only going to have S8 options once S21 is gone, is going to make sure its a mandatory ground!)

If everyone is going to have to go down the S8 route its going to be bloody carnage. Courts dont have the time now, how on earth are they going to proritise on mandatory (I guess many will go with either the sell up or need it for a family member explanation?)

I have a feeling some very genuine LL's will not be able to wait this out (mentally or financially or both) and may turn to 'other methods' to remove nightmare tenants. Yes possibly a throw back to the days of when 'Dave and Bob' visit to assist vacation....

Its absolutely criminal that LL's are being set up to be taken advantage off by a system that actually promotes this to tenants!

Monty Bodkin

22:33 PM, 9th May 2023, About 11 months ago

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/long-awaited-reforms-renters-delayed-29937707

The long-anticipated overhaul has been postponed due to “procedural issues”.

AT

22:57 PM, 9th May 2023, About 11 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Monty Bodkin at 09/05/2023 - 22:33
Deadly words in the mirror; first dibs for new buyers, powerful new rights & allow tenants to make changes to 'their' properties.

Imagine making changes, creating more mould than now and stopping rent payments... Like now but worse.

Section 24... Yeah sell up by the end of 24.

Dylan Morris

23:01 PM, 9th May 2023, About 11 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Monty Bodkin at 09/05/2023 - 22:33So Labour will legislate to “allow tenants to make changes to their home”. So that’s my no decorating I’ve just done it all and it’s all neutral so you don’t have to decorate and I don’t know if you have any decorating skills anyway coz I’m 63 and too old to redecorate every time there’s a change of tenant and it’s all tough and washable paint so I can just wipe it down when a tenant leaves so don’t paint anywhere strategy out the window then ? Definitely selling up. One of four just on the market with viewings now booked in for this week. I’m out.

GlanACC

8:32 AM, 10th May 2023, About 11 months ago

One of my tenants (a professional couple with Range Rovers - leased and 5 kids) allowed their kids to crayon on the walls. So to cover it up they painted the walls .. BROWN !, I issues an s21 and they stopped paying the rent and after 10 months I managed to get them out. They took every door knob, door handle, cooker knobs and the doors of the kitchen cabinets with them, certainly redecorated the place.Never got a penny out of them (I did give them a CCJ though) as they owned nothing and were paying their previous partners maintenance and repaying council tax arrears.

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