A PRS expert claims landlords still have the chance to change or influence specific provisions of the Renters Reform Bill.

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The Bill was unveiled to the Commons to ‘coincide’ with the government publishing the Fairer Private Rented Sector White Paper in June. However since then the Tory party has been in turmoil ‘forcing’ Boris Johnson to step down as Prime Minister when his successor is announced along with Michael Gove being fired from his post as Housing Secretary.

The two Conservative leadership hopefuls Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak have so far failed to express their views on the White Paper or the Bill.

The expert says: “With the Conservatives grappling to find a new leader, I think it is unlikely that the final Bill will pass before the end of next year, meaning there is still time to influence change.

 

“Whilst I’m not suggesting that there is likely to be a U-turn on any of the elements which have been included, I do believe landlords’ collective voices have an opportunity to show the government what will and won’t work. We must be clear about what grounds and incentives are needed to encourage landlords to remain in the market, ensuring there is a consistently sufficient supply of rental properties in the future.”

The expert says it is blatantly obvious that the White Paper and the Bill is anti-landlord and pro-tenant far more than the sector likes, he does state that it is not in anyone’s interest not to just ignore the situation and hold up a white flag.

He says: “A couple of weeks ago, together with several other industry leaders and letting agents, I was invited to join a Zoom call with a group of civil servants who are part of the team tasked with implementing the Renters Reform Bill to ensure it is practical and workable. They were keen to hear from our point of view as to why landlords typically use Section 21. 

“I think all those who attended made it very clear that there are some unintended consequences on the horizon and landlords are already leaving the market.

“We also discussed the concerns and complexities about plans to scrap fixed-term tenancies in place of periodic tenancies, particularly within the student accommodation market, where Purpose Built Student Accommodation will be exempt. I feel confident that they are listening and at this time it is crucial we engage.”

Eddie Hughes MP, has over the past two years been held mainly responsible for the government’s rental; reform machinations and has remained in his post at the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities in spite of the Tory’s political shenanigans. However he may be in a precarious position because of his link  with Kemi Badenoch’s leadership campaign and it will be interesting to see whether Truss or Sunak will ‘repay’ him with a dismissal.