Renters’ Rights Bill is not about tenants but creating a ‘council cash windfall’

It is being promoted as a way to level the renting playing field and empower tenants, but one housing law expert says the Renters’ Rights Bill‘s real aim is to enrich councils.

And it will leave both landlords and tenants worse off, says Des Taylor of Landlord Licensing & Defence.

The director of casework says the Bill will transform housing enforcement into a harsh, revenue-driven regime.

Mr Taylor says that the landlord sector ‘must wake up’.

Boost council coffers

Speaking at the HMO Action Group’s Spring Conference in Birmingham, Mr Taylor says the Bill is less about protecting renters and more about bolstering local authority budgets.

He said: “The truth behind the abolition of Section 21 is far more complex and politically motivated than the government would have the public believe.”

Mr Taylor warns that without Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions, landlords will be pushed towards the slower, riskier Section 8 process.

This shift, he argues, is designed to ease financial strain on councils by slashing eligibility for homelessness support.

Tenants in arrears will suffer

Currently, tenants receiving a Section 21 notice are often advised by councils to stay until bailiffs arrive.

That’s when costly emergency housing obligations are triggered for the council.

However, he says that the Bill changes this and without Section 21, there will be fewer tenants – especially those with rent arrears – will qualify for council help.

That will dramatically reduce council expenditure on temporary accommodation and shorten housing waiting lists.

Prolonged possession delays

Landlords, meanwhile, face prolonged delays of up to 16 months to reclaim properties for personal use or sale.

That’s compounded by a 12-month re-letting ban if sales collapse.

Those vacant properties will incur double council tax, further boosting local authority incomes.

Mr Taylor warns that landlords may soon be pressured to lease directly to councils or homeless individuals, ensuring councils benefit yet again.

Councils impose fines

The Bill also grants councils sweeping powers to impose hefty fines for minor infractions, bypassing court processes.

Fines ranging from £5,000 to £25,000 are already common for paperwork errors, with some advisors advocating for £40,000 penalties as standard.

Mr Taylor says that council enforcement should prioritise safety, not revenue – especially since ‘rogue’ landlords often escape penalties.

Landlord Licensing & Defence, having handled more than 2,000 enforcement cases, confirms this trend is intensifying.

The HMO Action Group, which successfully halted unfair council tax banding for shared homes in December 2023, is now rallying landlords to resist these measures.

Mr Taylor said: “The government only does what benefits itself – and this mis-named Renters’ Rights Bill is Exhibit A.”

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