Rents soar by up to 17% since Labour’s Renters’ Rights Bill introduced
10 months ago | 1 comments
Labour warned that Renters’ Rights Bill reforms are ‘unworkable’
12:01 AM, 20th June 2025, 10 months ago
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Several organisations have united in raising serious concerns about the Renters’ Rights Bill, branding the proposed reforms to the PRS as unworkable without clearer government guidance.
As the House of Lords gears up to review the legislation from 1 July, groups representing private landlords, build-to-rent providers and letting agents are pressing ministers for answers to unresolved issues.
In a joint letter to Baroness Taylor of Stevenage, the British Property Federation (BPF), the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA), and The Lettings Industry Council highlight problems with the Bill’s current framework.
They argue that the absence of detailed responses from the government is unsettling responsible landlords, whom ministers have assured should not fear the reforms.
Landlords should be concerned
The letter, signed by the NRLA’s chief executive, Ben Beadle, along with Melanie Leech, the chief executive of the BPF and Theresa Wallace, chair of The Lettings Industry Council, states: “We remain extremely disappointed by the lack of substantive responses to the concerns we have consistently raised with ministers.
“We want the Bill to work in practice and enjoy the confidence of good landlords.
“However, unless clear answers to the issues we have raised are forthcoming from the Government, those very landlords have every reason to be concerned.”
Questions on possession claims
A key issue is the government’s failure to clarify how courts will handle possession claims under the new rules.
Despite promises last year to ensure courts were ‘ready’ for the changes, no specifics have been provided on how long it will take to process legitimate claims.
With existing court delays already a significant worry for landlords, this lack of clarity is fuelling uncertainty, the groups say.
They also flag concerns about plans to allow tenants to challenge above-market rent increases at tribunals.
They argue this is unfeasible because no reliable, centralised data exists to define market rent levels in specific areas, making it impossible to judge whether an increase is excessive or not.
Benefit rent arrears
Further complicating matters, proposals to limit a landlord’s ability to repossess properties when rent arrears stem from delayed benefit payments are unclear.
Since landlords are not informed when tenants claim benefits, they cannot identify whether arrears result from payment delays until a case reaches court.
The government has also yet to outline a timeline for when changes to tenancy agreements will take effect after the Bill receives Royal Assent.
The organisations stressed that this information is critical for ensuring a seamless transition to the new system under the Bill.
Tags:
court delays, housing policy, landlords uk, market rents, Private Rented Sector, rental reforms, renters rights bill, Tenancy Changes
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Member Since May 2014 - Comments: 88
10:14 AM, 20th June 2025, About 10 months ago
It’s very clear that the government want to reduce the PRS. If they’re serious then all they have to do is remove CGT on BTLs. Right now I’d gladly sell all mine but the huge tax bill would mean little is left, so I’m stuck with them. Classic golden handcuffs. [And CGT is especially unpalatable given it’s mainly a tax on inflation, but that’s another matter.]
Drop CGT and wait for a massive flood of properties onto the market, including mine. Let the big corporates snap them up with tenants in situ. Simple.
Member Since September 2018 - Comments: 3508 - Articles: 5
11:54 AM, 20th June 2025, About 10 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Neil P at 20/06/2025 – 10:14
their want your cake and to eat it themselves all at the same time while leaving you unable to remove the cake from the table.
Yes they want the CGT tax and yes they want to force you to have to keep taking tenants so they can keep the cash flowing.
It’s not about tenants – never has been, never will be.
The legislation is simply to tick the vote wining box as more tenants than landlords.
If you are a private you are making money because what you are doing is investing in the bricks and mortar and ergo banking on the property increasing in value. You should not be making anything on the actual renting side apparently. That’s clearly immoral…! (despite the PRS being a renters alternative)
The fact that the PRS now offers the ONLY viable option as an alternative to waiting on a housing list/being homeless/not able to afford B2R prices…. is completely irrelevant…
Member Since September 2018 - Comments: 3508 - Articles: 5
11:58 AM, 20th June 2025, About 10 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Neil P at 20/06/2025 – 10:14
but the big corps don’t want the odd 3 bed in nice area here and there, the bungalows, the 2 bed semis or the ex council houses.
Its cheaper to build tiny glass boxes in the sky on credit and pack them full of non benefits recipient’s who can then pay all the high service charges etc….
Member Since October 2023 - Comments: 25
12:30 PM, 20th June 2025, About 10 months ago
With all tenancies becoming periodic, tenants can now give notice at any time, effectively turning every rental into a short-term let (2 months) — but at a fraction of the cost for the tenant. Traditional short-term lets typically command two to four times the rent of a standard tenancy. This shift makes it difficult for regular landlords to cover letting costs, as long-term tenancies are financially structured to last at least six months – and even then, a landlord is hoping for 12 months or more.
Member Since January 2016 - Comments: 235
12:49 PM, 20th June 2025, About 10 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Andrew at 20/06/2025 – 12:30
Landlord: I’m glad you like my property. As part of my due diligence, I need a referral from your previous landlord.
Tenant: er, ok
Ex Landlord: Do you mean little Johnny that said he’d take it for at least a year and then did a runner after 2 months? That little Johnny? Bargepole touch not ..
Landlord: sling your hook little Johnny. I suggest a tent from your local Aldi – on offer for a tenner at the moment. Now, who’s next in the queue?
Member Since January 2024 - Comments: 341
2:34 PM, 20th June 2025, About 10 months ago
Never let the tax tail wag the dog. If you don’t want to be in PRS then sell. The PRS sector is only likely to get worse.
I for one will be selling up when RRB is enacted, and I will make sure that it is clear why I am selling i.e. it is too high risk/low return under RRA, and with EPC changes looming,
Member Since May 2024 - Comments: 204
5:20 AM, 21st June 2025, About 10 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Neil P at 20/06/2025 – 10:14
Neil, If they scrapped CGT on landlords selling up, they could have all of mine in a heartbeat, other landlords with the same idea they could probably hit their 1.5 million homes and let them to Serco, who will let to Immigrants.
Providing I was paid market value for them, the goverrnment can take all of my houses.
When there’s a flood of landlords selling the prices will drop, is this what they and the big co operations want?
Due to EPC C and other government meddling, I’ve offered to sell houses to tenants but they can’t afford to buy so would be left homeless if I can sell before it comes in. Once we have an idea of the plan.
I’m guessing by the time S21 comes in my S21 will be Invalid.
I think that the government want to take them all for free.
Unfortunately, the tail has been wagging the dog for years.
By next year with Labour in charge, the dog wont even need a tail.
The conservatives started it and Labour idiots will finish off the PRS.
Wonder where they are going to house people? Should I start buying tents?
I refuse to sell any houses to Serco so they can house immigrants.
I’m not going to fight any more. If I get a good offer from an owner occupier, they can buy my houses.
I’m from the UK but currently live in the middle east and want an easy way to move all of my money out of the UK. I can not see why anyone would want to invest in the anymore.
Last night I was speaking to some friends in work from overseas, they were horrified at how much tax we pay in the UK.
The quicker I can move my money overseas the better.
After last the year of looking for a house, we have realised that We really do not want to live in the UK anymore. Imagine the stamp duty as a Uk citizen that moved overseas for work that has more than 1 house, on a 450k house. It’s just not worth considering. It’s 10% !!
I can not justify paying the UK government 45k for just saying, yes. You can own this house, we no longer want 1.
I can buy a house in a much nicer country than the UK, where there is very little Tax on everything.