NRLA calls for urgent action on Renters’ Rights Bill amendments

The National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) has issued a stark warning to the government about the amendments to the Renters’ Rights Bill which will be examined in the House of Lords next week.

It wants peers and ministers to back the ‘pragmatic’ changes to the Bill for it to stand any chance of working.

The NRLA is now pushing for several amendments that will help the government deliver the Bill’s stated aims to be passed – including the abolition of Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions.

Help the Bill work

The organisation’s chief executive, Ben Beadle, said: “Ministers must back these constructive, sensible proposals to ensure the Renters’ Rights Bill works in practice.

“Without changes, the justice system will not cope, students will struggle to plan where they will live and responsible landlords will avoid the risk of taking tenants with a poor, or no, credit history in the UK.”

A key suggestion, tabled by Baroness Thornhill, the Liberal Democrats’ housing spokesperson, demands a thorough review of the justice system’s capacity to handle an influx of possession cases.

With Section 21’s removal, courts will face increased pressure to process legitimate landlord claims, such as those involving anti-social behaviour or significant rent debts, which currently take more than seven months to resolve.

The housing minister has admitted the judicial system is ‘on its knees’, amplifying concerns about its readiness.

Protect student accommodation

Another critical amendment highlighted by the NRLA is backed by a cross-party coalition, seeks to safeguard the cyclical nature of student accommodation.

The shift away from fixed-term tenancies risks leaving landlords uncertain about property availability for incoming students each academic year.

Although the government has suggested a possession ground to mitigate this, it omits one- and two-bedroom homes, which constitute a third of student rentals.

The proposed change would extend protections to all student properties, ensuring stability for both tenants and landlords.

Deal with rent arrears

Further proposals address the Bill’s approach to rent arrears as a former Number 10 legal adviser.

They have urged reversing a clause that raises the threshold for mandatory eviction due to unpaid rent by half.

This increase could exacerbate tenant debt, making repayment harder, while discouraging landlords from letting to individuals with unproven financial reliability, potentially shrinking rental opportunities for vulnerable groups.

Uncertainty also looms over the timeline for phasing out Section 21 and what constitutes a ‘ready’ court system, with ministers yet to clarify these pivotal details.