8:46 AM, 11th September 2024, About 3 months ago 29
Text Size
The Renters’ Rights Bill will be introduced to Parliament today with Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions set to be banned immediately.
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner says the Renters’ Rights Bill will help “protect tenants” and stop unscrupulous landlords tarnishing the reputation of the private rented sector.
The Section 21 ban looks set to be implemented when the Bill becomes law – not when the court backlog has been cleared.
Other measures introduced in the Bill will include applying Awaab’s Law to the private rented sector and applying a Decent Homes Standard to the private rented sector for the first time. Landlords who fail to address serious hazards could be fined up to £7,000 by local councils and may face prosecution for non-compliance.
The Bill will ban Section 21 eviction notices immediately for new and existing tenancies at the same time which the government says will give all private renters immediate security and assurance.
According to the government, nearly 26,000 households faced homelessness as a result of a Section 21 eviction and had to go to their council for support.
Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner said: “Renters have been let down for too long and too many are stuck in disgraceful conditions, powerless to act because of the threat of a retaliatory eviction hanging over them.
“Most landlords act in a responsible way but a small number of unscrupulous ones are tarnishing the reputation of the whole sector by making the most of the housing crisis and forcing tenants into bidding wars.
“There can be no more dither and delay. We must overhaul renting and rebalance the relationship between tenant and landlord. This Bill will do just that and tenants can be reassured this government will protect them.”
According to the government, 21% of privately rented homes are considered non-decent and more than 500,000 contain the most serious of hazards. Clear expectations will be set so tenants can expect safe, well-maintained, and secure living conditions.
The Labour government will introduce the Decent Homes Standard to the private rented sector for the first time. The government says: “Good landlords who provide these standards will benefit from clear regulation. This will eliminate unfair competition from those who, for far too long, have got away with renting out substandard properties to tenants.”
A new Private Rented Sector Database will also be created to help landlords understand their obligations for compliance and provide tenants the information they need to make informed choices for new tenancies. It will also enable councils to focus enforcement where it is needed most.
The Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook met with landlord and tenant groups and committed to engaging with them as the Bill progresses, to ensure the sector is ready for the changes.
The government says they will help ensure homes in the private rented sector meet minimum energy efficiency standards by 2030, with more detail to be set out following further consultation.
Other measures introduced in the Bill include:
Speaking ahead of publication of the Renters’ Rights Bill later today, Ben Beadle, Chief Executive of the National Residential Landlords Association said: “Plans to reform the private rented sector have been on the table for over five years now. Above all, renters and landlords need certainty about what the future looks like. Whilst we await the precise details of the Bill, it is vital that it works, and is fair, to both tenants and landlords.
“The end of Section 21, ‘no explanation’ repossessions represents the biggest change to the sector for over 30 years. Once the Bill is passed, it is vital that sufficient time is provided to enable the sector to properly prepare. Over 4.5 million households will need tenancy agreements updating, letting agent staff and landlords will need to undertake training and insurance and mortgage providers will need to adjust policies and rates. None of this will happen overnight and the Government needs to publish guidance.
“In addition, ending Section 21 will leave the courts needing to hear possession claims where landlords have a legitimate reason. The cross-party Housing Select Committee has warned that without reforms to ensure the courts process cases much more swiftly, they risk becoming overwhelmed. This will not serve the interests of tenants or landlords seeking justice.”
Darren Cadby-Lynch
Become a Member
If you login or become a member you can view this members profile, comments, posts and send them messages!
Sign Up10:59 AM, 11th September 2024, About 3 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Markella Mikkelsen at 11/09/2024 - 09:19
Great and considered comments. If only the government were to actually listen to people who actually know what's going on.
Stella
Become a Member
If you login or become a member you can view this members profile, comments, posts and send them messages!
Sign Up11:45 AM, 11th September 2024, About 3 months ago
This goverment have demostrated how little consideration they have for pensioners but I do hope that the bill makes provision for vacant possession when we need to retire.
Ron
Become a Member
If you login or become a member you can view this members profile, comments, posts and send them messages!
Sign Up11:46 AM, 11th September 2024, About 3 months ago
Reply to the comment left by JB at 11/09/2024 - 07:42
Likely means it will include existing tenancies. The government has the choice of saying any tenancies granted after x date will no longer have s21 notices but here they are including pre-existing tenancies.
Ron
Become a Member
If you login or become a member you can view this members profile, comments, posts and send them messages!
Sign Up11:50 AM, 11th September 2024, About 3 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Markella Mikkelsen at 11/09/2024 - 09:19
I think you're dreaming. No chance of most of that happening. Current processing times for accelerated claims is evidence.
Reluctant Landlord
Become a Member
If you login or become a member you can view this members profile, comments, posts and send them messages!
Sign Up12:46 PM, 11th September 2024, About 3 months ago
if a T offers to pay more rent when the rent is clearly advertised at X, I shall then require them to sign a waiver to say that they have not been encouraged to do so and that the offer has been made of thier own free will. It will also state that the offer was made without reservation and that they understand that the offer made does not guarantee a tenancy will still be offered.
Does that tick the 'no bidding wars' box then?
Jason
Become a Member
If you login or become a member you can view this members profile, comments, posts and send them messages!
Sign Up13:10 PM, 11th September 2024, About 3 months ago
On Talk radio now
Property One
Become a Member
If you login or become a member you can view this members profile, comments, posts and send them messages!
Sign Up17:21 PM, 11th September 2024, About 3 months ago
The 'data' I think is completely made up. It must be checked by a third party by a landlord body.
This data should also be. compared to the social housing (SH) data. It is widely known that social housing is the biggest abuser of tenants and when it comes to repairs they are given a gagging order.
Is that a level playing field? Do SH look after their tenants?
A couple of examples where no one has been penalised, Grenfell, Awaab's Law - both in the SH.
David Houghton
Become a Member
If you login or become a member you can view this members profile, comments, posts and send them messages!
Sign Up17:27 PM, 11th September 2024, About 3 months ago
First draft of the bill. Read and plan accordingly https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3764
Jason
Become a Member
If you login or become a member you can view this members profile, comments, posts and send them messages!
Sign Up19:24 PM, 11th September 2024, About 3 months ago
Not sure I can get my head around the way bills are written; need a layman’s version lol so only read the section on pets; which seems reasonable to me.
PAUL BARTLETT
Become a Member
If you login or become a member you can view this members profile, comments, posts and send them messages!
Sign Up11:02 AM, 12th September 2024, About 3 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Stella at 11/09/2024 - 11:45
Latest news on Pensions is that 25% (max 267k) is unjustified so likely to be changed to 10%. Unclear if that's in future or effectively backdated to current pensions.
Anybody with an Interest only mortgage expecting to pay off the capital with their Pension tax free lump sum could be in for a nasty surprise!
https://www.cityam.com/hard-to-justify-ifs-calls-for-reeves-to-limit-pension-tax-free-lump-sum/