Renters Reform Bill to return to the Commons after Easter Recess
On the 27th March 2024, Jacob Young MP wrote to Conservative MPs regarding the Renters Reform Bill. He stated that the Conservatives are committed to “creating a fairer private rental sector” – standing on the promise that: - “if you’re a tenant, you will be protected from revenge evictions and rogue landlords, and if you are one of the many good landlords, we will strengthen your rights of possession”.
During her time as Housing Minister, Rachel Maclean MP made amendments to the Bill to bolster landlord protections which included making it clear that legislation would not be implemented until sufficient progress has been made improving courts, and scrapping proposals that would have both forced landlords to make expensive energy efficiency upgrades to their homes.
The Commons Committee reviewed concerns that have been put forward and as such, Government will bring forward further improvements at Commons Report Stage.
What next for the Renters Reform Bill?
A lot of chatter has appeared in the trade press over the last 24 hours regarding the Renters Reform Bill and the intentions of the Labour Party if they win a general election. A lot of the discussion circulates around the abolition of Section 21 (Form 6A), so much so that landlords are constantly having a ‘knee jerk’ reaction every time the trade press, national press, TV reports, a blog make reference to the notice disappearing. This has lead to many landlords selling up and exiting the letting sector.
With the greatest of respect to all those who report on the Renters Reform Bill, it’s irresponsible to mislead landlords in this way; landlords who in 2019 reacted to the initial proposal of abolishing the Section 21 notice were unfortunately mislead into thinking that firstly the notice would be abolished imminently. But let’s also think about tenants and the impact this ‘misinformation’ has affected them. Many tenants could have avoided having notice served on them and worse still, facing accelerated possession through the courts and possibly eviction. It has not and will not be abolished for a while.
The Queen’s Speech brings back into focus The Renter’s Reform Bill
As a result of the Pandemic, proposed legislation has been put on the back burner. The Queen’s Speech brings back into focus the Renter’s Reform Bill, the Briefing Document highlights the main elements of the Bill which are as follows:-
● Abolishment of the so-called ‘no fault’ evictions by removing Section 21 of the Housing Act 1988. This has been a very key topic, but the general feeling is that with the private rented sector having almost doubled in size in the past 10 years, this is will be welcome news for tenants.
● Reforming Section 8 and the possession grounds for landlords, introducing new and stronger grounds for repeated incidences of rent arrears and reducing notice periods for anti-social behaviour. Amending the Section 8 notice will need to consider what happens when a landlord needs to move back in or sell their property.
● Application of the legally binding Decent Homes Standard in the Private Rented Sector giving tenants safer, better quality and better value homes.
● The introduction of a new Ombudsman for private landlords so that disputes can easily be resolved without the need to go to court.
● The introduction of a new property portal to help landlords understand their obligations and to give tenants performance information to hold their landlord accountable.
Announcement from Robert Jenrick regarding Support for Renters and the Homeless
Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick has today announced extra support to house rough sleepers across all councils in England.
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Ban on bailiff enforced evictions extended
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Confirmation of court support for landlords and renters and launch of mediation pilot
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Backed by an additional £10 million in funding, all councils in England are being asked to redouble their efforts to help accommodate all those currently sleeping rough and ensure they are swiftly registered with a GP, where they are not already.
This will ensure they can be protected from the virus and contacted to receive vaccinations in line with the priority groups outlined by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation.
Councils will also be asked to reach out again to those who have previously refused help, given rising infection rates and the colder winter months.
Renters will continue to be supported during the new national restrictions, with an extension to the ban on bailiff evictions for all but the most egregious cases for at least 6 weeks – until at least 21 February – with measures kept under review.