An industry expert says it’s highly unlikely the details of the new Renters Rights Bill will be unveiled until October.

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The new Renters Rights Bill was announced in the King’s Speech with very sparse details and it is highly likely many of the measures of its predecessor, the Renters Reform Bill, will be ported across.

The measures most likely are the scrapping of Section 21 eviction powers-a given-, tenants having powers to challenge ‘unreasonable’ rent increases, allowing pets unless there are good reasons such as health issues, banning rental wars, introducing the social housing Decent Homes Standard, landlords database, tougher rules for agents and landlords to fix damp and mould issues quickly, more redress rights awarded to tenants.

Sector bodies commented on the Bill and a spokesperson for an agents association said: “The reforms to the rental market are long expected and we will ensure that rent controls are avoided, new grounds are effective, and the court system is fit for purpose to coincide with any removal of Section 21.”

A spokesperson for landlords, added: “With an average of 15 households chasing every available home to rent it is vital that rental reform does not make an already serious supply crisis in the private rented sector worse. The system that replaces Section 21 needs to be fair, workable and sustainable for both responsible landlords and renters. That means fixing a broken justice system which too often fails those reliant upon it.

“The Housing Minister has rightly noted that landlords need the courts to operate quickly where they have a good reason to repossess a property. This includes cases of tenant anti-social behaviour and serious rent arrears, which currently take almost seven months to process. This is far too long. Tenants are no better served by delays, which increase hardship, stress, and uncertainty.