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0:04 AM, 13th June 2023, About 11 months ago 24
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Property sector leaders say the Renters’ Reform Bill is a ‘golden opportunity’ for the private rented sector (PRS)
However, they caution the government from introducing ‘piecemeal legislation’ so that landlords are not over-burdened.
The legislation is seen as the most transformative overhaul of the PRS in decades and encompasses various proposals including the abolition of Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions and reinforcing Section 8 evictions.
Also, the Bill will give tenants the legal right to request pet ownership in rental properties, implementing a Decent Homes Standard and mandating landlord membership in a registration scheme.
Neil Cobbold, the managing director of PayProp UK, said: “The Renters’ Reform Bill is a golden opportunity to get these reforms right, but credible enforcement is key.
“Property professionals have pointed to a ‘postcode lottery’ across the country when it comes to enforcing current rules, which allows rogue landlords and agents to operate.
“We urge the government to address this as we see very few proposals to ensure better enforcement.”
He added: “Anything that drives up standards can only be seen as a good thing for the PRS but the lack of reassurances and detail in these reforms risks some landlords selling up at a time when rental properties are urgently needed.”
Mr Cobbold continued: “These reforms should be delivered in such a way that they allow tenants to feel protected and landlords to feel confident that the sector is viable.
“The abolition of Section 21, which currently allows landlords to gain possession of their property without giving a reason, maybe a worry for some landlords – but it is a genuine concern for tenants.
“The strengthening of Section 8 – which allows landlords to evict on a number of grounds including anti-social behaviour, arrears and needing to sell – should offer reassurance to the legitimate concerns of landlords while affording tenants more protection than they currently have.”
In addition to the Renters’ Reform Bill, the PRS is also gearing up for the upcoming legislation on Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES) regulations.
While the government has yet to announce a precise implementation date, these new rules are anticipated to be enacted soon.
As part of the government’s commitment to reach Net Zero emissions by 2050, the proposed legislation aims to raise the minimum Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating for all PRS homes.
The current requirement of an ‘E’ rating will be elevated to a ‘C’ rating, marking a significant shift in energy efficiency standards for rental properties.
Nathan Emerson, Propertymark’s chief executive, also says the Bill will help the PRS and said: “Propertymark supports the need to professionalise the industry in order to stamp out bad practice and eradicate rogue landlords.
“With nearly half of all landlords in England only owning one property, there is a concern that ongoing piecemeal legislation may add further pressure on small portfolio landlords and will be unmanageable and unenforceable.”
He added: “A considerable number of smaller-scale landlords will struggle to find the funds to improve the energy efficiency of their properties and the UK government must ensure that adequate funding is available to be able to achieve this.”
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Commercial EPC - do I need a new one?
Ian Narbeth
10:07 AM, 13th June 2023, About 11 months ago
As they say in Canada "Road Apples" (look it up!)
If section 21 is wrong then it was always wrong, meaning that the end of a stultified rental market was wrong.
Neil Cobbold appears to be suffering from Stockholm Syndrome. He is also allowing himself to be duped by the Government's spin. It will be harder not easier to evict for anti-social behaviour. Extra obstacles are being erected to prevent a section 8 claim succeeding.
As Thomas Sowell says: "There are no solutions, only trade-offs". Life will be made harder for tenants and landlords by the Renters Reform Bill when it becomes law. It is bad enough in normal circumstances but in a tight market, with the supply of houses diminishing, it is foolish in the extreme to be attacking landlords and interfering with their property rights.
Beaver
10:14 AM, 13th June 2023, About 11 months ago
"These reforms should be delivered in such a way that they allow tenants to feel protected and landlords to feel confident that the sector is viable..."
Clearly not happening yet then.
Reluctant Landlord
10:16 AM, 13th June 2023, About 11 months ago
this guy is totally deluded.
Freda Blogs
11:13 AM, 13th June 2023, About 11 months ago
The words of the bill are one thing, effective implementation is another.
To bring in this legislation whilst the infrastructure (courts, bailiffs, council etc enforcement) is another. Mere weasel words without action to address these issues is irresponsible or worse.
This man’s comments are completely disingenuous; landlords have real and well-founded fears of not being able to control what happens in their property, or to recover possession when required, hence voting with their feet and selling up. It is a train crash waiting to happen.
Jeff L
11:22 AM, 13th June 2023, About 11 months ago
Reply to the comment left by DSR at 13/06/2023 - 10:16
I think that's a tad unfair - he may just be stupid or prejudiced! (Or all three).
Jeff L
11:24 AM, 13th June 2023, About 11 months ago
RR Bill will ultimately mean one thing - rents go up for tenants.
Monty Bodkin
11:28 AM, 13th June 2023, About 11 months ago
"Property sector leaders"
Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!
Anyone purporting to be a property sector leader should be stating the bleedin' obvious;
Scrapping section 21 will decimate the private rented sector.
Sunrise
11:49 AM, 13th June 2023, About 11 months ago
Perhaps the phrase "renting a property" should be changed to "borrowing a property" so that tenants remember that it belongs to someone else.
Ian Narbeth
12:06 PM, 13th June 2023, About 11 months ago
"As part of the government’s commitment to reach Net Zero emissions by 2050, the proposed legislation aims to raise the minimum Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating for all PRS homes.
The current requirement of an ‘E’ rating will be elevated to a ‘C’ rating, marking a significant shift in energy efficiency standards for rental properties."
If only wishing made it so. The spin doctors should have added:
"We will require landlords to spend £10,000 in trying to upgrade their property to a C (whether this is futile or not) and if they are unable to reach that level we will threaten them with tens of thousands of pounds in fines unless they obtain an exemption from their landlord-loving, virtuous left wing local authorities. We are 100% convinced that not a single landlord will be worried by this proposal and that not a single rental property will be lost to the market. Any questions? Please contact us in Cloud Cuckoo Land, Westminster SW1A 0AA."
John
12:19 PM, 13th June 2023, About 11 months ago
If he is a property leader why is it I have never heard of him?
He is talking absolute twaddle.
To try and evict a tenant for anti social behaviour under section 8 will be an absolute nightmare.
What sort of evidence will you have to provide to a Judge so that he evicts the anti social tenant?
I dread to think.
In the meantime Gove and those idiot left wing civil servants will wash their hands of the whole sorry mess.
When Labour win the next election they will probably strengthen tenant’s rights even more.
Hunt in the meantime is taxing us to oblivion , changes to Capital Gains Tax are screwing us over.
I used to vote Conservative but not anymore.
Unfortunately there is no sensible viable alternative. Emigration beckons.