With the Renters Rights Bill approaching the final stage in the House of Lords an industry association is celebrating two key amendment victories. 

One amendment allows landlords to collect a ‘pet deposit’ equivalent to three weeks’ rent while another reduces the restriction on re-letting properties repossessed for sale from 12 months to six.

Despite these concessions, the industry body acknowledges that both amendments were approved without backing from the government, as a result, there is a strong possibility that they may be overturned when the Bill returns to the House of Commons.

Nevertheless, the association has welcomed the government’s commitment to conduct and publish reviews of the legislation’s impact at two- and five-year intervals following its implementation.

The association says in a statement about the two amendments: “We have repeatedly warned that landlords do need to be able to guard against the risk of damage caused by pets. Having recognised the need to reduce these risks, the Government’s recent decision to remove landlords’ ability to require pet insurance raised immediate concerns.

“In response to this an amendment was proposed by Lord de Clifford which would enable landlords to take an additional ‘pet deposit’ of three weeks’ rent where a pet request is accepted.  “We were pleased to see Peers support this proposal and echo our arguments, with Lord De Clifford stating that if no damage occurs, ‘the deposit is returned…whereas the?initial proposal for pet insurance was money never to be returned, regardless of whether a claim was made or not.”

On re-letting restrictions, the body’s statement says: “That the Renters Rights Bill as published would prevent landlords using the ‘for sale’ ground (1A) to repossess from re-letting their property for 12 months should, for example, a sale falls through. We have argued such a severe restriction on landlords’ ability to let out their property could result in much-needed homes being left empty. 

“Peers agreed, passing an amendment loosening these restrictions and cutting the period in which a property cannot be re-let to 6 months. This is another welcome change by peers and shows yet again that our arguments around the restrictive nature of this provision have been getting through.”

The Renters Rights Bill is set to continue its journey through the House of Lords, with its next Report Stage slated for tomorrow followed by a final Third Reading on July 21st.

As Parliament’s summer recess looms, the government may fast-track the Bill to secure Royal Assent before MPs adjourn. If not, the legislation’s formal passage into law will be delayed until the autumn session.