Next steps for Renters’ Reform Bill unveiled

Michael Gove has revealed plans for the next reading of the Renters’ Reform Bill.

In a speech last night to the Centre for Policy Studies forum and a Shelter evening reception the Housing Secretary seemed to confirm that the next reading will take place this Autumn.

He did not specify a date but as the Kings Speech only a few weeks away a date for the second reading could be revealed shortly.

Thriving private rented sector

In remarks made at the Conservative Party conference Michael Gove said a “thriving private rented sector is vital to ensuring an effective housing market.”

Mr Gove said: “You can’t have an effective housing market, or provision of the homes we need, without having a variety of different types of tenure.

“A route to homeownership, a private rented sector that facilitates labour mobility among other things, and socially rented homes in order to help people who are, for whatever reason, eligible for, and deserving of, that level of support.”

The NRLA attended the event and called on fixed-term tenancies to be protected in the student housing market.

Michael Gove responded by saying: “Obviously in the rental market you need to take account of movement, particularly amongst students and so on.”

Landlords need certainty

Ben Beadle, chief executive of the National Residential Landlords Association, said: “The Housing Secretary is right to acknowledge the importance of a thriving rental market alongside all other tenures. But the only way to achieve this is to develop policies that can secure the confidence of the vast majority of responsible landlords.

“When section 21 repossessions end, landlords need certainty that the courts will more swiftly process possession claims where there is good cause.

He added: “Alongside, this, we need to reform a tax system which is penalising the provision of the very homes renters are struggling to find.”