The Renters’ Rights Bill – Labour’s plans to end no-fault eviction

As many of our readers will know, we have been following with interest the previous Conservative government’s pledges to introduce landmark protections for renters. Unfortunately, the advancement of the Renters’ (Reform) Bill through parliament came to a screeching halt after former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s snap general election announcement.

Keir Starmer’s new Labour government has taken up the baton with its own Renters’ Rights Bill, introduced by King Charles III in his speech at the state opening of parliament on 17 July 2024.

In this blog, we will explore the legislative changes proposed in the new version of the Bill, its differences with its predecessors, and what the future holds.

Taking action “where the previous government has failed”

It is early days for the Renters’ Rights Bill, with full details yet to be revealed following its mention in the King’s Speech. It appears to be substantially similar in content to the Renters’ (Reform) Bill in the following ways:

Similarities with the Renters’ (Reform) Bill:

• The Bill will abolish controversial Section 21 (or, ‘no fault’) evictions
• It will provide ‘new and clear expanded possession grounds’ to enable landlords to repossess their properties when needed
• Rent increases will only be allowed if they are in line with market rates
• Tenants will be given new powers to challenge unfair rent increases
• The Bill will introduce a ‘Decent Homes Standard’, a new minimum housing standard for the private rented sector
• Tenants will have the right to request a pet in their rental property, which landlords cannot unreasonably refuse.

Differences to the Renters’ (Reform) Bill

There are also some differences between the two Bills, namely:

• Labour has indicated that it will be moving to abolish Section 21 evictions immediately; the Conservatives said they would only do so once “sufficient progress has been made to improve the courts”
• In addition to the Decent Homes Standard, the Renters’ Rights Bill will also enforce ‘Awaab’s Law’ – an obligation for landlords to investigate and fix reported health hazards within specified timeframes. The legislation is named after two-year-old Awaab Ishak, who died in 2020 as a direct result of exposure to mould in his family’s rented home
• In addition to giving tenants increased powers to challenge rent increases, labour says the Renters’ Rights Bill will also end rental bidding wars by landlords and letting agents
• Under the Renters’ Rights Bill, landlords will not be able to unreasonably refuse requests for pets, but they will be able to request insurance to cover any damage pets may cause to the property.

Again, we do not yet have clarity exactly how or when these reforms will be achieved, but the Dispute Resolution Team will be keeping an ear to the ground and will be providing updates as and when these become available.

In the meantime, please do get in touch with us on 0203 871 0094 or email drdept@attwaters.co.uk to instruct us on your Property Litigation matter.