What is in the King’s Speech for the UK’s landlords?

Today, King Charles will open Parliament and reveal more than 35 Bills to be introduced by the Labour government.

While details are scarce it looks like there is little discussion about what might happen to the private rented sector – despite Labour promising to ban Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions ‘on day one’.

However, the Renters (Reform) Bill (RRB), which was first proposed in 2019, is expected to be back on the table.

The bill aims to improve protections for tenants – including the potential banning of Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions.

There is also a pledge for Awaab’s Law to be extended to the PRS.

Labour insiders also claim that the Speech will propose amendments to the RRB that will give renters the power to challenge ‘unreasonable’ rent increases.

Laws to rebuild our country

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “Our work is urgent. There is no time to waste. We are hitting the ground running by bringing forward the laws we will need to rebuild our country for the long-term – and our ambitious, fully costed agenda is the down payment on that change.

“From energy, to planning, to unbreakable fiscal rules, my government is serious about delivering the stability that is going to turbocharge growth that will create wealth in every corner of the UK.”

He added: “The task of national renewal will not be easy, and this is just the down payment on our plans for the next five years, but the legislation set out at the King’s Speech will build on the momentum of our first days in office and make a difference to the lives of working people.”

Bills in the King’s Speech

So far, these Bills are expected to be announced in the King’s Speech:

• Spending: Tighten spending rules and empower the Office of Budget Responsibility
• Housing: Expect mandatory housing targets, revamped planning rules and increased home construction
• Railways: Within five years, the railways could be under public ownership
• GB Energy: By 2030, cleaner and more renewable energy sources could power Great Britain
• Devolution: Local leaders gain more authority over transport, education, housing and employment
• Football: A new football regulator will prioritise fans’ interests
• Crime and Policing: Anti-social behaviour crackdown, revisiting shoplifting rules and a crackdown on drink spiking offences
• Prison: Extending early release programmes and other strategies to manage prison populations
• Border security: Counter-terror powers, collaboration with intelligence agencies, and immigration system reforms
• Education: ‘Lost’ child registers, school breakfast clubs and curriculum-focused requirements
• Youth: Lowering the voting age to 16
• School fees: Adding VAT to private school fees
• Workers’ rights: Addressing fire-and-rehire practices and zero-hours contracts
• AI regulation: Guardrails for AI development and a new Regulatory Innovation Office
• Cybersecurity: Strengthening digital security measures
• Anti-smoking: Gradually increasing the age for purchasing cigarettes
• Martyn’s Law: Ensuring venues have terror attack preparedness plans.

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