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9:23 AM, 18th October 2023, About 7 months ago 29
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The government will proceed with the Renters (Reform) Bill with a second reading scheduled for Monday, the Financial Times reveals.
The Bill, which aims to end no-fault evictions and make renting safer and fairer for millions of people in England, was first promised in 2019.
But it has been delayed due to opposition from some Conservative MPs.
However, the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, apparently told a cabinet meeting on Tuesday that he wanted to push ahead with the legislation, according to senior government figures.
The Bill will have its second reading in the House of Commons and will then be carried over into the next Parliamentary session that begins with the King’s Speech on November 7.
Michael Gove, the levelling-up secretary, is understood to have won the internal battle over the bill, which would abolish assured short-hold tenancies and Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions.
Under current law, landlords can evict tenants without giving a reason and apply for a court order after just two months.
The Bill would also give landlords stronger rights to repossess properties where tenants exhibit anti-social behaviour or build up rent arrears.
It would also hold landlords who let out unsafe homes to account.
The Financial Times revealed last month that the Bill had been put on ice, reflecting the concerns of many Tory MPs.
Penny Mordaunt, the leader of the House of Commons, did not include the Bill’s second reading in her announcement of business for the remainder of the current parliamentary session.
Angela Rayner, the shadow levelling-up secretary, had complained at the recent Labour Party conference that the ‘zombie government’ was failing to progress the legislation.
And this week, a group of 30 charities and non-profit organisations — from Citizens Advice to the Child Poverty Action Group — urged Mr Sunak to pass the bill, saying that delays would risk causing ‘more avoidable hardship and suffering’.
Polly Neate, chief executive of housing charity Shelter, said the news will be welcomed by Britain’s 11 million renters.
She told the FT: “Every day 540 people are slapped with a no-fault eviction notice and given just two months to find a new home.
“For them, needless delays and hold-ups to making renting safer and fairer are unacceptable.
“A robust Renters (Reform) Bill has the potential to free people from the constant threat of a no-fault eviction.
“It would reduce homelessness and hold landlords who let out unsafe homes to account.”
The government says it remains ‘absolutely committed to delivering a fairer private rented sector for tenants and landlords through the Renters (Reform) Bill’ and that its ‘second reading will follow shortly’.
Candyman 1980
20:03 PM, 18th October 2023, About 7 months ago
As a career contractor in the Space/Telecoms industry, with only 4 BTLs between my wife and I, it would be a safe assumption that I/we lean towards voting Tory... The only way I can see things improving for LLs in the PRS is by voting Labour and taking the hit for 4 years. Might just straighten the Tories up for the next election? Otherwise I seriously need to rethink life!
Reluctant Landlord
20:38 PM, 18th October 2023, About 7 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Rod at 18/10/2023 - 16:09
who the hell asked me if I agree to 2 months rent free???
This from a body supposed to be representing LL's??
Errr....perhaps just getting them to explain the basic premise that the RRB is bad for BOTH LL's and T's in its current guise should be the focus??
...not offering 'gestures' which can be construed as pandering in deference to the Bill. It smells like LL's are cowering for piecemeal scraps over the inevitability of it.
What is the matter with everyone? Its not passed yet into law! These are the stages to kick off about it and try and get the focus and wording changed. It's bad enough that we cant be simply open with how it effects us as LL's. We always seem to have to package up our anger in light of how what any changes mean to tenants. We all know it will hurt them, but the stage before than happens means that LL have to take direct action. That WILL be either rent increases or possession orders (in order to sell up ).
The immediate effect of the RRB if it passes as is is that LL WILL ACT and the tenants will be collateral damage as a result.
This is NOT the detail that I see pumped at MP's or the government from any pro LL group at all!
Ray Guselli
8:18 AM, 19th October 2023, About 7 months ago
My colleague just been told by his tenant, already in arrears, could not pay the rent as he had to pay his dealer. (drugs)
When will, if ever, these MP's realise that life is not as they are told or see it around them. They are cocooned from reality or do not want to upset the apple cart because it provides such a good living.
Complaining to local MP's is pointless because no matter how understanding and supportive they are, those in power, the Whitehall blob, will ensure that Sunak and crew push through policies which will damage the PRS because, as has been the case for decades, private sector landlords are despised, despite the work we do.
A sad state of affairs.
Unfortunately it seems Landlord Associations are either complicit or unable to protect their members.
LaLo
9:37 AM, 19th October 2023, About 7 months ago
I thought we lived in a democracy?
Nicki H
7:21 AM, 21st October 2023, About 7 months ago
What WILL be the ways a LL can end a tenancy when this comes in? I'm wanting to sell this time next year bit not really before. But this move forward is making me nervous....
Crouchender
7:57 AM, 21st October 2023, About 7 months ago
Hold your horse everyone! If you read the Government's response to the Housing Select Committee report issued yesterday. It is clear they are putting clear blue water with section 21 as they won't bring it in until court reform is there.
https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/41806/documents/207184/default/
As opposed to Labour who will bring it in within the first 100 days WITHOUT court reform. i,e PRS chaos.
This narrative will be at play in the coming months before the election between two parties.
Mick Roberts
8:16 AM, 21st October 2023, About 7 months ago
Testing links
Bemused
11:03 AM, 21st October 2023, About 7 months ago
I’d like to know whether we can get a freedom of information or other independent check on Shelters S21 figures.
Alll students get S21 notices to keep things above board and legal, but they have every intention of leaving at the end of the contract. They must form a large part of the number of s21s issued but are definitely not being evicted unkindly.
philip allen
17:21 PM, 21st October 2023, About 7 months ago
Reply to the comment left by LaLo at 19/10/2023 - 09:37
Wherever did you get that idea from?