NRLA and Crisis team up to demand Renters (Reform) Bill update

The National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) has teamed up with the homelessness charity Crisis to urge clarification on the future of the Renters (Reform) Bill.

The call comes after media speculation that the Bill is ‘on the brink of collapse’ and that backbench MPs have forced various amendments.

In a letter to Michael Gove, the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, the organisations express concern about ‘rumour, speculation and a litany of off-the-record briefings’ surrounding potential amendments to the Bill.

The Bill, which is described as the biggest shake-up of the private rented sector in more than 30 years, aims to improve security for tenants.

Uncertainty for both renters and responsible landlords

However, the lack of concrete details about proposed changes is causing ‘a huge amount of concern and uncertainty’ for both renters and responsible landlords, the NRLA and Crisis say.

The letter urges the government to publish any amendments under consideration ‘as a matter of urgency and in full’.

This transparency would allow all parties involved to analyse the proposals and participate in a productive public debate.

Highlighting the destabilising impact of the ongoing uncertainty, the NRLA and Crisis argue that ‘time is running out’ for proper Parliamentary scrutiny of the Bill.

They call for an end to the current situation, emphasising the need for clarity in the public interest.

The letter is published below:

Dear Secretary of State,

The Renters (Reform) Bill represents the biggest set of changes to the private rented sector for over 30 years. It is vital that it supports tenants and responsible landlords and prevents homelessness.

Over recent weeks a number of media reports have suggested that the Government is considering amendments to the Bill.

The rumour, speculation and a litany of off-the record briefings are causing a huge amount of concern and uncertainty for tenants and responsible landlords.

We therefore call on the Government to publish, as a matter of urgency and in full, any amendments it might now be considering so that all parties can judge for themselves what is on the table and debate the substance in public. Time is running out to ensure that this Bill can complete its passage through Parliament with the proper consideration 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. This has to end. In light of the public interest in this matter we plan to make this letter public.

Yours sincerely,

Ben Beadle, Chief Executive, National Residential Landlords Association

Matt Downie, Chief Executive, Crisis

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