NRLA urges changes to the Renters’ Rights Bill in the Lords

NRLA urges changes to the Renters’ Rights Bill in the Lords

0:04 AM, 3rd February 2025, About 6 days ago 7

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A comprehensive briefing paper has been presented to the House of Lords ahead of tomorrow’s (Tuesday 4 February) Second Reading of the Renters’ Rights Bill to highlight its potential detrimental effects.

The National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) is urging revisions to safeguard vulnerable renters, including those facing financial hardship, ensuring access to available properties.

The four-page document uses data from respected industry sources, substantiating claims of a worsening supply and demand imbalance.

It points to Zoopla figures which reveal rental home inquiries are exceeding pre-pandemic levels by 31%.

Also, the English Private Landlord survey indicates that 31% of landlords intend to sell properties, a rise from 22% four years ago.

And Oxford Economics data suggests only one in eight renters can afford homeownership locally, underscoring persistent rental demand.

‘The NRLA is not anti-reform’

The NRLA’s chief executive, Ben Beadle, said: “Let’s be clear, the NRLA is not anti-reform. There are a number of changes within the Bill that we support, including the introduction of a Decent Homes Standard to the PRS, the extension of Awaab’s Law and measures to tackle discrimination, amongst others.

“However, we need Peers to understand both the likely implications of the Bill, on tenants as well as landlords, and the simple changes that could be made to ensure that, once passed, the Bill is workable and fair to all.”

He added: “If left unamended, the Renters’ Rights Bill does not provide the promised balance and will destroy any remaining confidence landlords have to invest in much needed homes.”

Critical flaws in the Bill

The NRLA has also identified critical flaws in the Bill, arguing it will see financially challenged tenants and international movers from demonstrating rent affordability – excluding them from housing.

Student access to accommodation will also be restricted, and the Property Tribunal will probably face overwhelming demand, resulting in costly delays.

Also, the Bill lacks a clear implementation strategy for the courts and an implementation timeline which will jeopardise its objectives and potential for positive sector change.

Comprehensive implementation plan

The NRLA wants a comprehensive implementation plan, including provisions for the justice system to boost confidence among landlords and tenants.

The organisation is proposing amendments such as a pre-tribunal rent increase assessment system, in collaboration with the Valuation Office, to provide market rent guidance.

It also wants measures to mitigate arrears risk, including initial rent payment conditions and reinstatement of the two-month arrears threshold for mandatory possession proceedings.

A revision to student possession grounds, encompassing one and two-bedroom properties and allowing termly rent payments, are also recommended.


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Cider Drinker

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10:09 AM, 3rd February 2025, About 6 days ago

Of the government wants to increase notice periods under Section 8 of the Housing Act, they should underwrite the risk.

I think non-paying tenants should be removed within 2 weeks. Only then would we return to the mindset that paying for the roof over your head is No 1 priority, ahead of mobile phones, cocaine, alcohol, football shirts and Netflix.

This would free up property for those that can prioritise properly and encourage wealthier landlords to buy for more new homes for rent.

Lordship

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11:16 AM, 3rd February 2025, About 6 days ago

What you have to remember is that responsible landlords already follow the rules that are in place.
The home is of sufficient standard and meets with health and safety standards etc.

Only increase the rent once a year if that and by a sensible amount.

Etc, etc.

Reform is not needed. Implementation of current rules is!

The changes will have little impact on stopping the rouge landlords who will thrive IMO under the new RRB.

Many good landlords will now exit the market and those that remain are having to increase rents and become far more selective when choosing tenants.

The NRLA's approach has been all wrong.

Now they need to come out and advise landlords that under the RRB, being a landlord will be a high risk investment and highlight theses real risks.

TheMaluka

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13:33 PM, 3rd February 2025, About 6 days ago

Awaab’s Law should be implemented in a manner which requires the tenant to prove that mould is caused by the landlords neglect rather than the tenant lifestyle. I am sure that this would result in far fewer cases coming to the attention of the authorities.

JeggNegg

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14:09 PM, 3rd February 2025, About 6 days ago

I think we ( nearly) all agree this is a very serious law. I would rather see the authorities taking a more proactive role and act as arbitrator to resolve the when there is any signs of mould and conflict between the tenant and landlord.

northern landlord

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15:53 PM, 3rd February 2025, About 5 days ago

“The National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) is urging revisions to safeguard vulnerable renters, including those facing financial hardship, ensuring access to available properties”
They should come clean and change their name to the “National Residential Tenants Association” good luck with getting their subs then.

TheMaluka

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15:56 PM, 3rd February 2025, About 5 days ago

Reply to the comment left by northern landlord at 03/02/2025 - 15:53
Well said.

Godfrey Jones

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17:01 PM, 3rd February 2025, About 5 days ago

I just wished we could all go back 20 years. Generally the system worked and ticked along nicely. If a Tenant had a problem that went unresolved by a Landlord they just went to the LA Enforcement Team.
What's wrong with just going back to how it used to be? In my opinion there are a lot more of our friends who have seen Homes Under The Hammer and jumped on the bandwagon doing as least as they can for the most profit. Look at most of the names when fines are issued.
Anyway, I was a good Landlord. I loved doing what I did and I loved helping people. I always made sure my properties were immaculate at below market rates and welcomed new tenants with credit on meters a welcome card and a bunch of flowers. I've now had enough and have sold everything apart from one property I intend to let my student Son live in as it's close to his University. Bye to all my lovely Tenants but they are now someones else's problem and I'm getting 6% on the money from the sale of my properties without any hassle or worry about what this ridiculous Gov will do next in their war on Landlords.

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