Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner is set to put the Renters’ Rights Bill before Parliament today in its second reading, in a bid to end Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions.
The Bill will be debated for the first time by MPs, less than a month after it was first introduced and within the first 100 days of the new Government.
The Bill aims to deliver on the Government’s manifesto commitment to overhaul the experience of renters, banning Section 21 evictions across new and existing tenancies.
This aims to give 11 million private renters immediate security and assurance so they can stay in their homes for longer.
It will also clamp down on unfair rent increases and extend the Decent Homes Standard and Awaab’s Law to the private sector for the first time, reducing the number of poor-quality privately rented homes and empowering tenants to raise concerns about damp, dangerous and cold homes.
Rayner said: “I am determined to get this Bill in to law as soon as possible.
“The thousands of children and families living in unsafe housing or under the cruel threat of a Section 21 eviction notice have been waiting far too long already.
“We will deliver on our promise to renters and transform the sector into one where families can put down roots, where children can grow up in healthy homes, and where young people can save for their future.”
Reaction:
Gareth Atkins, managing director of lettings at Foxtons:
“Today’s second reading of the Renter’s Rights Bill brings us one step closer to the scrapping of fixed-term tenancies, a move which could destabilise the living arrangements of renters across the nation.
“As it stands, any tenant currently contracted to a fixed-term tenancy will not only have certainty over their living situation, but also clarity on just how much they are going to pay in rent.
“This figure is often fixed for an initial term of three years or more, but under the proposed Renters’ Rights Bill, this certainty would vanish and over the space of three years, the same tenant could see their rent increase on multiple occasions.
“The issue is further exacerbated by the fact that there is no transition period in place, meaning those currently contracted to fixed-term tenancies could be hit by rental hikes they haven’t budgeted for as soon as the bill is passed.”
Sam Reynolds, CEO of Zero Deposit:
“As it stands, not much has changed with regard to the current Renters’ Rights Bill and there is still some way to go before it gains Royal Assent.
“That’s if it makes it through the House of Commons and a third reading, let alone the House of Lords.
“Whilst improvements to tenant welfare are positive in theory, it’s clear that the Government has so far taken a head in the sand approach to the bigger picture, with little consideration afforded to the nation’s landlords and the consequence of deterring them from the sector.
“In doing so, they could well cause more harm than good when it comes to rental market affordability and a tenants ability to actually secure the rental property they so desperately need to keep a roof over their head.”
Siân Hemming-Metcalfe, operations director at Inventory Base:
“Tenant disputes have surged in recent years, and while the Renters’ Rights Bill aims to address long-standing issues in the sector, its current tenant-first focus risks destabilising the market.
“The reality is that landlords are not just providers of housing, they’re integral to sustaining the private rental ecosystem that over 4.4m people rely on for their homes.
“By sidelining landlords in such sweeping reforms, we risk a shrinking rental market, with fewer available properties and higher rents.
“This imbalance will ultimately hurt tenants just as much, if not more, in the long run and a sustainable approach requires meeting the needs of both landlords and tenants.”
Marc von Grundherr, director of Benham and Reeves:
“Today’s second reading brings ever closer to a potential rental market doomsday and should the Government persist with yet another ill devised legislative overhaul, the result will be fewer landlords, less homes for renters, higher rents and an even tougher time for tenants.”
