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0:03 AM, 20th October 2023, About 6 months ago 17
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The slow progress of the Renters (Reform) Bill has created confusion and made landlords worry about the prospects of the private rented sector (PRS) but MPs can bring some confidence, one organisation hopes.
The Bill was first unveiled in the Conservative’s 2019 election manifesto and a second reading of the Bill will be on Monday (23rd October).
News that Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has pushed for the Bill to be read surprised many since it wasn’t on Parliament’s timetable at all until this week.
Now, landlords will have wait to hear what is said on Monday and then the King’s Speech on 7 November will reveal whether the Renter’s (Reform) Bill has made it onto the Government’s legislation schedule.
The National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) says that the Bill must instil confidence in landlords who are worried about their futures.
The organisation’s chief executive, Ben Beadle, said: “The uncertainty over whether the Bill will proceed or not has made it difficult for landlords and renters to plan for the future.
“As they consider the Bill, MPs and Peers will need to make sure it secures the confidence of responsible landlords every bit as much as tenants.
“Should the Bill fail to secure the confidence of landlords, the shortage of homes will only worsen, ultimately hurting renters.”
He added: “It is crucial that problems with the courts are addressed alongside the Bill progressing through Parliament.
“As the cross-party Housing Select Committee has warned, an unreformed court system risks undermining the Government’s planned changes to the sector.
“Ministers have pledged to guarantee improvements to the court system, and we will continue to work with them to ensure this happens.”
And last month’s State of the Industry report from Goodlord and Vouch has also highlighted concerns among letting agents and landlords.
It revealed that are feeling pessimistic about the introduction of the new rules:
However, letting agents are more mixed:
When asked about the scrapping of Section 21 in 2022, 71% of landlords believed the abolition of Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions would have a negative impact.
That year, that has dropped to 62%.
At the same time, the number of landlords feeling neutral about the change has risen from 12% to 29%.
In contrast, letting agents appear to have lost optimism over the course of the year since 27% of agents in 2022 believed the abolition of Section 21 would have a positive impact.
That figure has now dropped to just 11%.
Oli Sherlock, a director at Goodlord, said: “There remains a lot of concern about this Bill amongst industry stakeholders, but four years of uncertainty around whether it would ever come into law hasn’t helped tenants, landlords or letting agents.
“If we do indeed see a second reading on Monday, it seems more likely than ever that the Renters (Reform) Bill will finally come into force.
“However, it will be interesting to see the level of challenge from MPs given recent reports.”
He added: “Landlords and agents who haven’t yet prepared for the changes must follow progress closely and act quickly, so they aren’t on the wrong side of the new regulations when they arrive.
“Likewise, the Government should continue to explore ways to support all sides of the rental market, which is currently struggling against a rising tide of pressures.”
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Ray Guselli
10:34 AM, 20th October 2023, About 6 months ago
"Ministers have pledged to guarantee improvements to the court system, and we will continue to work with them to ensure this happens.”
Given its current condition, state and delays, there is absolutely no evidence on the table of any improvements to the court system where delays are increasing.
Failed rhetoric to satisfy landlords and in an attempt to deal with an election disaster.
Gove now states: -
"Damp and mould in the home are not the result of 'lifestyle choices"....
Yet hundreds of councils provide literature to landlords and tenants citing the biggest cause of these problems as being lifestyle and condensation....
Just yet another reason why the only time I believe a minister, is when they keep their mouth shut.
All these assurances are worth nothing.
C-cider
11:04 AM, 20th October 2023, About 6 months ago
Improve the Courts first and scrap Section 21 only when it has been proven that the Courts are fit for purpose.
LaLo
11:18 AM, 20th October 2023, About 6 months ago
The conservatives are not doing too well if local elections are anything to go by! The best thing they can do now is to rush through all the manifesto promises - so they look good! Is this just the start? I often e-mail whoever is the housing at the time stating my views but whether it works or not it’s worth a try.
Ian Narbeth
11:38 AM, 20th October 2023, About 6 months ago
"The slow progress of the Renters (Reform) Bill has created confusion and made landlords worry about the prospects of the private rented sector (PRS) but MPs can bring some confidence, one organisation hopes."
"The [NRLA] says that the Bill must instil confidence in landlords who are worried about their futures."
The Bill is coming and it it not the slow progress that is worrying landlords but the content of the Bill and the anti-landlord fever created by Government and Opposition spokesmen alike.
Ben Beadle and the people at the NRLA are deluding themselves if they think the Bill can conceivably "instil confidence" in landlords. It cannot. The drafting of the Bill is highly technical and only lawyers will have a chance of making changes. Even then they are unlikely to succeed as the spin machine will churn out that the Government is making life "fairer" for tenants.
We should warn our MPs that the Bill will make matters worse for everyone. I cannot see a single Labour politician voting against it and given the drubbing the Tories took at yesterday's bi-election, many will be too cowed to object especially if they are whipped to support it.
Voice of a landlord
12:51 PM, 20th October 2023, About 6 months ago
NLRA does not represent the PRS. I repeat it does Not represent PRS. It is merely a resource. Has it ever legally challenged any of the policies that have put this deathloop on PRS in motion that is now a stranglehold!
It is about time PRS gets behind a more clued up advocate that is not scared to say yes there are few rogue landlords same as there are rogue policeman, politicians, lawyers etc but rest of us do provide important housing provision. We have yet to close down parliament because of an mp scandal so why deem necessary for completely get rid of all PRS landlords?
Building 500000 new homes a year is a total red herring as they not going to be all social housing or affordable homes unless the council do it themselves from their magic money tree. Can councils sustain social housing on their current budgets (no!) and is it really fair that someone who gets social housing then goes on to earn £40k per year keep their council/social housing ( I can name a few Labour MPs). The whole concept of housing provision is a mess.
But most importantly the PRS must represent its values through an organisation that understands it. That's certainly not NLRA
LaLo
14:59 PM, 20th October 2023, About 6 months ago
Looking at the Labour manifesto on housing - it’s not that different from the Conservatives.
Monty Bodkin
16:31 PM, 20th October 2023, About 6 months ago
"When asked about the scrapping of Section 21 in 2022, 71% of landlords believed the abolition of Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions would have a negative impact."
And yet;
“The NRLA is not opposing the Government’s plans to end Section 21”
LaLo
18:27 PM, 20th October 2023, About 6 months ago
Looking at pages 14 - 15 of the Labour manifest I think I’ll stick with the conservatives after all - or emigrate!
LaLo
18:38 PM, 20th October 2023, About 6 months ago
Forgot to mention as I’m in a state of shock! Under Labour 3 year minimum contracts - licensing - £100,000 fines!
GlanACC
11:28 AM, 22nd October 2023, About 6 months ago
I have no issues with S21 going. S8 covers my scenarios - Rent arrears (may actually be better as can now evict if goint into rent arrears multiple times) or selling the property (I have told my tenants they will not be evicted as long as they pay the rent - otherwise i will evict and sell up).