Renters’ Rights Bill amendments will safeguard possession rights

A new amendment to the Renters’ Rights Bill clarifies that landlords can still reclaim their properties by serving notice prior to the Bill’s enactment, even if they pursue a court order post-implementation.

The amendment is being championed by Baroness Taylor, the housing minister in the Lords, and the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) says this is a crucial change.

Under the original proposal, a three-month transition phase was set to permit landlords to use existing Section 21 and Section 8 notices.

However, outside of that window, if the landlord hasn’t begun proceedings the notice will become invalid, and the landlord will have to start again using one of the new Section 8 grounds.

Impossible to take action

The NRLA’s head of policy, James Wood, explains: “This would not only mean the action would be out of the landlord’s hands, but busy courts would find it almost impossible to make that happen in the time allowed.”

He says this highlights the potential for cases to be dismissed due to administrative delays beyond a landlord’s control.

The NRLA’s dialogue with government officials has led to the amendment, he says.

Mr Wood goes on: “We are pleased Baroness Taylor, who put forward the amendment, has listened to us, with the new government amendment makes it clear that landlords can use a valid Section 21 or Section 8 notice to apply to court at any time during the transition window.

“While hundreds of amendments have already been proposed that fact that this adjustment (and others) has been put forward by Baroness Taylor, means it will almost certainly be included in the final version of the Bill.”

RRB returns for debate

The Bill is scheduled for further debate in the House of Lords on 22 April during the Committee Stage, where peers will have the opportunity to suggest further tweaks and offer detailed critiques.

Ahead of this, the NRLA has been actively engaging with Lords’ members, advocating for practical alterations that enhance the Bill.

Among the changes they endorse are provisions allowing landlords to evict from all student accommodations, not just houses in multiple occupation (HMOs).

The organisation has also proposed establishing a minimum six-month tenancy period and refining the rent adjustment mechanism with oversight from the Valuation Office Agency to dismiss unjust rent challenges.

It also wants protection for landlords against non-payment of initial rent and evaluating the Bill’s impact on the private rental market.

Amendments need backing

Mr Wood warns that while these amendments are promising, their inclusion in the Bill still requires backing from the House of Commons.

To help explain the new amendments, the NRLA has produced this video:

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