The Renters’ Reform Coalition, comprising various renter groups, has issued a statement concerning the Renters (Reform) Bill that is up for its Report Stage and Third Reading today, Wednesday.
The statement expresses that the Bill will be a failure in its present form due to renter concerns not being adequately considered, alleging that ministers have favoured meetings with lobbyists for landlords and estate agents over those representing renters.
The Coalition asserts that a series of concessions made to appease backbench pro-landlord MPs have substantially weakened the Bill.
The latest amendments are considered the “final straw” by renter groups, who now view the Bill as abolishing section 21 “in name only”.
They argue that the Bill, rather than improving conditions for renters, maintains the “central power imbalance” in renting.
The Coalition is calling for immediate pro-renter amendments and warning that without a shift in government approach, meaningful change may have to wait for a future administration.
This response follows recent amendments to the Bill by Housing Secretary Michael Gove, aimed at “bolstering landlord protections”, including a policy that would lock renters in for the first six months of a tenancy and delay the abolition of section 21, contradicting previous assurances of its removal before the next election. The concessions were reportedly made to prevent a rebellion from pro-landlord MPs.
These government actions stand in contrast to a survey commissioned by 38 Degrees indicating that only 11% of renters feel landlords need more protections, with 82% of renters concerned about the influence of MP landlords on the legislation, seeing it as a conflict of interest.
