Renters’ Rights Bill - Further Amendments
The Bill entered the second session of Report Stage where further amendments were proposed; the final session will take place on the 15th July 2025 swiftly followed by the 3rd Reading. It is likely that Royal Assent will be granted in the Autumn when Parliament reconvenes.
Further Amendments
There are amendments proposed by the Lords that may give landlords some reassurance that once the Renters’ Rights Act comes into force, things may not be as bad as they once thought.
Final Stage - House of Lords propose further amendments to the Renters’ Rights Bill
During the Lords Committee stage in May 2025, Lords tabled and debated a comprehensive set of amendments to the Renters’ Rights Bill. Before the Bill goes moves to Report Stage and the 3rd Reading in the House of Lords on the 1st July 2025, further proposals have been put forward to seek to preserve existing protections where they work well, fill in perceived gaps, and ensure the Bill is fit for purpose. Set out below is a summary of the most recent proposed amendments, The Marshalled List for Report includes the following and a lot more:-
1. Rent-Arrears Thresholds
Possession MAY still be sought after eight weeks’ arrears in weekly or fortnightly tenancies and two months’ arrears in monthly tenancies, rejecting longer grace periods.
2 . Proposed Additional Grounds for Possession
Ground 8A (Carer Ground) – permits possession where the dwelling is required to house a carer for the Landlord or a close family member.
Overview of House of Lords Committee Stage - the Renters' Rights Bill
From the 22nd April to the 14th May 2025, the House of Lords undertook a meticulous clause-by-clause review of the Renters’ Rights Bill across six sittings at Committee Stage. Each session brought forward proposed amendments, clarifications, and constructive scrutiny intended to reinforce the legislative framework, improve the Bill's enforceability, and ensure a balanced approach between tenant protection and landlord responsibility.
Committee Day 1 – 22 April 2025
Key Themes: Definitions
Peers debated the definition and removal of assured shorthold tenancies.
There was also a push to ensure that the reformed tenancy structure maintains clarity and enforceability, particularly regarding the rights of possession and eviction, to prevent unintended disruption to housing associations and local authorities.
1st May 2025 - Renters’ Rights Bill - Fourth Marshalled List for Committee – House of Lords
It’s been an interesting 3 days of the Committee Stage in the House of Lords with the being checked in detail right down to words being added or removed to ensure that the details of relevant sections are they should be.
During committee stage, amendments have been proposed, some of which have been withdrawn, some agreed and some to be ‘moved in committee of the whole house’
What Does to be ‘moved in committee of the whole house’ Mean?
When a new law, in this case, the Renters’ Rights Bill, is going through Parliament, it must pass through several stages. One of these stages is called the Committee of the Whole House.