10th
Apr 2024
The government has committed bringing the amended Renters Reform Bill to the House of Commons in mid-April.
MPs return from their Easter recess on April 15 and the Bill will resume its passage through Parliament within days of the recess ending.
There’s been angry reaction from activists and charities following changes made to address concerns about the anti-landlord bias of the Bill in its original form.
True to form Ben Twomey, chief executive of Generation Rent , says: “Instead of appeasing a few landlords, the government should focus on preventing homelessness. The best ways to do this would be to give renters four months’ notice rather than two when we are evicted, while making sure we can’t be kicked out within the first two years of a tenancy if we stick to the rules.”
Polly Neate, chief executive of Shelter, said: “It’s cowardly that the government would rather betray renters than stand up to a minority of MPs hell-bent on browbeating them into watering down the Renters Reform Bill.”
Crisis chief executive Matt Downie says the Bill does improve prevention measures on homelessness but must do more to protect tenants and support responsible landlords.
He says: “There has been positive movement on homelessness prevention measures in this bill, which would see households still being supported after eviction, which we very much welcome.
“But with the bill still not published and continued uncertainty over ending no-fault evictions, this situation continues to cause anxiety for millions of renters across the country.”
The government told Tory MPs at the start of the Easter Weekend of the amendments it will table to the Tenants Reform Bill in the Commons after the Easter parliamentary break, which will include:
· Taking onboard the cross party Housing Select Committee’s proposal that when fixed term tenancy agreements end ; “tenants will be unable to give two months’ notice to leave until they have been in a property for at least four months";
· The courts process and operations will be improved and changed before it abolishes Section 21 notices for current tenancies, hoping to make sure that the justice system will be able to handle (cope) with the operation of the courts, before ending section 21 notices.
· Guaranteeing that all of the different types of student housing which will include one or two bedroomed properties are covered with a legal ground for possession to safeguard the student housing sector yearly cycle. This will mean that landlords will be able to guarantee prospective student tenants that they can rent from the beginning of each academic year.
· Evaluating whether local authorities licensing schemes are required if the proposed property portal goes ahead.
A spokesperson for an industry body, says: “All the rumour, speculation and off-the record briefings about the future of the Bill has caused a huge amount of concern and uncertainty for tenants and responsible landlords.
“The Government has a mandate to end section 21 repossessions. Our focus has been on ensuring that the replacement system works, and is fair, to both tenants and responsible landlords. The changes being proposed would achieve this balance.
“Ministers now need to crack on to ensure the Bill can proceed with the scrutiny it deserves.
“The lack of progress and uncertainty about the future is destabilising and damaging for those living and working in the private-rented sector. It is time to bring this to an end.”
A government spokesperson says: “Our landmark Renters Reform Bill will deliver a fairer private rented sector for both tenants and landlords. It will abolish section 21 evictions – giving people more security in their homes and empowering them to challenge poor practices.
“The Bill must strike the balance between delivering security for tenants and fairness for landlords. We have listened to feedback from landlord and tenant groups and from MPs, and will bring amendments forward at Commons Report Stage after Easter recess.”
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