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

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

6:20 AM, 2nd May 2025, About 2 weeks ago 15

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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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Downsize Government

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9:36 AM, 2nd May 2025, About 2 weeks ago

We used to laugh at how things were in communist Russia and East Germany.

Things are getting closer to that state now.

Alan Ward

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10:59 AM, 2nd May 2025, About 2 weeks ago

Well well - someone has woken up to the hidden agenda. S21 was always a thorn in the side of councils for the reasons Des Taylor has stated. But none of the landlords organisations has ever called government's bluff - neither Labour nor Tories.
Scrapping S21 will save councils millions - -but who will house the tenants in future?
How long will it be before Serco are asked to house the PRS and they will be begging for landlords to invest in the PRS on five year contracts?
Watch this space.

Beaver

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13:41 PM, 2nd May 2025, About 2 weeks ago

If it's true that this is what the intention is then the intention is misguided.

The Renters Rights Bill is not going to create a 'council cash windfall.'

What the Renters Rights Bill is going to do is to create a Serco windfall.

https://www.property118.com/nrla-hits-out-as-labour-appeals-for-more-landlords-to-house-asylum-seekers/comment-page-4/#comment-192329

PAUL BARTLETT

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17:25 PM, 2nd May 2025, About 2 weeks ago

Reply to the comment left by Alan Ward at 02/05/2025 - 10:59
Taken with Selective Licensing (LB Islington, All ) this RRB is a straight cash grab to acknowledge that central government has zero interest in funding social housing or PRS regulation.

Blame Thatcher for Right To Buy,
Completely silent on the LA Duty To Build...

Hypocrisy

JB

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18:51 PM, 2nd May 2025, About 2 weeks ago

My understanding is that if your property is up for rent or for sale, then council tax is 100%

Jack Craven

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18:59 PM, 2nd May 2025, About 2 weeks ago

Reply to the comment left by JB at 02/05/2025 - 18:51
Here in north Yorkshire if you don't sell in 12 Months the council tax bill doubles

Jim K

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19:41 PM, 2nd May 2025, About 2 weeks ago

Maybe time to get in early and leasec to Serco under the 5 yr new arrivals scheme.
By then dust should have settled and all will be either:
Perfect and as intended or
A clusterfxxx.

SGhai

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20:24 PM, 2nd May 2025, About 2 weeks ago

Simply Disgusting..
If Any LL with 1-2 properties happens to get a hefty fine from council for a minor paperwork mistake is going to kill a poor LL.

Selling up is not a mistake anymore, although that may also entail a ( could be) 16 months wait to get the property back to put on the market.
An estate agent may be reluctant to market a yet tenanted property.No buyer may be willing to buy tenanted property- not knowing when it may become vacant.
I am in a fix

Desert Rat

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3:14 AM, 3rd May 2025, About 2 weeks ago

Reply to the comment left by JB at 02/05/2025 - 18:51
JB, in South Yorkshire I have to pay 200% council tax from day 1 that the house is empty in between tenants.
I think it's the same for my houses in
E Yorkshire too.

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7:31 AM, 3rd May 2025, About 2 weeks ago

I doubt a Reform council will have that policy.

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