Renters Rights Bill will be in place “around summer next year”

It is the government’s hope that the Renters Rights Bill, a landmark piece of legislation designed to outlaw no-fault evictions, will be in place by summer next year. This is according to Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook, who said to BBC Breakfast: “We hope [the legislation] will make very quick progress through the House of Commons and that we have that new tenancy system in place within the first half or around summer next year.”

The introduction of the Bill to parliament on 11 September 2024 is a promising stage in what has been a very long and often disappointing journey for housing campaigners. The previous government’s Renters (Reform) Bill suffered numerous delays before being abandoned completely following former PM Rishi Sunak’s announcement of a snap general election back in May.

Renters Reform Bill: a recap

The main selling point of the Renters Rights Bill for tenants is that it will outlaw the notorious ‘Section 21’ eviction process, which currently allows landlords to evict tenants without giving a reason. Also known as ‘no-fault’ eviction, landlords serving a Section 21 notice only usually need to give tenants two months’ notice to leave the property.

The Bill also proposes protections against in-tenancy rent increases, giving tenants the right to request a pet, and ending blanket bans on tenants with children or people on benefits. In addition, it proposes the extension of ‘Awaab’s Law’ to the private rented sector. Named after two-year-old Awaab Ishak, whose death in December 2020 was directly attributed to exposure to mould in the flat his parents rented, the law imposes stricter penalties on landlords who fail to address serious hazards such as mould and damp in their rental properties.

For more information about the Renters Rights Bill, we’d encourage you to read our previous blog in which we outline what we know so far about the proposed reforms.

Landlords remain concerned

Whilst the Bill has been celebrated by many as a vital step forward in offering tenants more security in their homes, landlords have inevitably expressed concerns. Landlords’ ability to repossess their property without giving a reason, in addition to their right to choose who they rent to, has long been a source of comfort and security for individuals who have often invested hundreds of thousands of pounds in their buy to let property or portfolio.

Mr Pennycook has reassured landlords that they will still have “robust grounds” for regaining possession of their property if they need to. Even so, the availability of rental properties continues to dwindle, with many landlords selling up in the face of less favourable taxation and increased regulation. According to data from Zoopla, the number of homes currently available in the private rented sector is now 24% below the pre-pandemic average.

Navigate the reforms with confidence

Whether you are a landlord concerned about the impact of the Renters Rights Bill on your business, or a tenant looking for support with a legal issue, our expert lawyers are here to help. We can provide you with all the up-to-date advice and guidance you need to navigate the upcoming reforms with confidence.

To speak to a specialist, please email enquiries@attwaters.co.uk or give us a call on 0330 221 8855 to set up your consultation.