Most tenants haven’t heard of the Renters (Reform) Bill – survey

Most tenants haven’t heard of the Renters (Reform) Bill – survey

0:01 AM, 27th March 2024, About a month ago 8

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Despite calls for more regulation of landlords in the private rented sector (PRS), most tenants haven’t heard of the Renters (Reform) Bill which is currently going through Parliament.

The Bill, which is the biggest change to the rental market in more than 30 years, proposes to end Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions and create a new decent housing standard.

However, a survey from the TDS Charitable Foundation of 2,000 renters reveals that while there is support for reform, 83% of private renters are unaware of the new Bill.

TDS says that over the past year, awareness of PRS reforms has risen by 27% among tenants.

‘Biggest set of changes to the rental market’

The head of policy and research at TDS Group, Dr Jennifer Harris, said: “The Bill represents the biggest set of changes to the rental market for over 30 years.

“Given this, it is worrying that so many tenants are unaware of what it is and what it seeks to achieve.

“It is vital that tenants feel able to challenge the minority of landlords failing to provide safe housing or a good enough service.

“This can only be achieved by ensuring renters understand the changes being made and are confident that they will help them to do so.”

She adds: “The TDS Foundation will continue to work to ensure tenants fully understand and make use of their rights to ensure the Bill works.”

Renters agreed that it would improve tenant rights

When told about the Bill, 61% of renters agreed that it would improve tenant rights, and 60% said the abolition of Section 21 would deliver stability and security – 8% disagreed.

The prospect of a new Ombudsman for private landlords appealed to 40% of tenants.

Asked whether the reforms would bring about ‘tangible change’, 42% of renters said little will change in the PRS, and 37% said they didn’t believe the Bill would become law.


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Comments

Property One

9:59 AM, 27th March 2024, About a month ago

The more risk a property owner has of recovering their property the higher the cost will be to rent that property.

If the court system is overburdened, as at present, that risk becomes higher. Either owners will sell, reducing the supply meaning costs for renters will go up or owners will have to take the risk into account, which means cost goes up.

Who loses? Both the owners and the tenants.

paul robinson

10:01 AM, 27th March 2024, About a month ago

My ex ones have…my reason to sell. They personally didn’t see the need and wanted to stay, but this ignorant government gaslighting sub sectors or the HMO market is the blame

Fizi247

11:08 AM, 27th March 2024, About a month ago

Anticipating the impact of the proposed 'Renter's reform bill': Most tenants may not benefit from its provisions. If the bill passes, we can expect a significant number of landlords to exit the market shortly after its implementation.

This mass exodus of landlords will lead to a continuous surge in property owners leaving the market, rendering the bill ineffective. Rents are likely to skyrocket as a result, prompting the government to reconsider and appeal for landlords to return to the market.

In summary, the 'Renter's reform bill' may end up being a failed venture, symbolised by ⚰🪦 RIP!

Michael Johnson - Amzac Estates

11:09 AM, 27th March 2024, About a month ago

The legislation surrounding the PRS is so cumbersome and complicated agents and landlords need to attend specialist courses to keep up , how would it be possible for tenants to even comprehend the amount of regulations that exist to protect them?. Under Welsh regulation our ASTs bloated from 6 pages to 60 pages of complicated rules, none of our tenants even bothered to read them. Most tenants don’t know or are even interested, all they care about is to get in and live quietly without too much interference. I acknowledge that most of our tenants are working/ retired professionals so this isn’t a good example but if they were asked what they are looking for in a rental it’s primarily clean , safe and reliable. They aren’t looking for problems or confrontation!

JB

12:12 PM, 27th March 2024, About a month ago

Did anyone point out to the Renters that their rent will go up? Apart from reduced supply pishing prices up, they will be paying for those tenants not paying their rent who the landlord can't get out of their property in a reasonable length of time.

David Houghton

13:04 PM, 27th March 2024, About a month ago

So most tenants haven't even heard of the Reb, and shelter surveys say nearly all tenants are complaining about s21. They can't both be true at the same time. Well done Polly, you have precipitated a lot of selling up and potential homelessness.

Cider Drinker

18:55 PM, 27th March 2024, About a month ago

My tenants will not benefit from the RRB. Not one bit.

They will see rents rise and, as properties become vacant, I will sell. Those that are unable to buy will be stuck in taxpayer funded temporary accommodation.

Michael Booth

17:22 PM, 28th March 2024, About a month ago

Bye bye prs l will be out 24 years of keeping roofs over 15 people heads all homeless shortly well done , shelter, crisis,tories, and inevitably liebor .

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