Renters’ Rights Bill to be introduced this week

The Renters’ Rights Bill will be introduced in the House of Commons this week which will see Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions being banned when the Bill becomes law.

Labour will not be waiting for the court backlog to be cleared beforehand, the Guardian newspaper claims.

That is despite warnings that the court system will not be able to cope with a surge in possession cases meaning that landlords could see the court process taking much longer.

However, media speculation points to the government rejecting moves for rent controls.

The bill will also include several other measures to strengthen renters’ rights such as landlords needing to give longer notice periods before evicting tenants.

Tenant bidding wars will be outlawed, and Awaab’s Law will be extended to the private rented sector so landlords will be required to address hazards within a specified timeframe.

Plans to reform the private rented sector

Ben Beadle, the chief executive of the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA), 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.”

He adds that robust possession grounds are needed to give landlords the confidence to remain in the sector and protect the supply of homes to let.

Plans for a decent homes standard

Mr Beadle said: “Plans for a decent homes standard for the sector and an Ombudsman service will be important in ensuring every landlord does what the majority already do, namely provide decent housing and a good service to their tenants.

“However, this needs to be backed up by ensuring councils have the resources to properly enforce these measures.

“More broadly, the end of section 21 will leave the courts needing to hear possession claims where landlords have a legitimate reason.

“The grounds for possession will need to be clear, comprehensive and workable in cases of tenant anti-social behaviour, serious rent arrears or where landlords plan to sell properties among others.”

Evictions have surged

Dan Wilson Craw, the deputy chief executive of Generation Rent, said: “Evictions have surged in recent years so it is welcome that the government is acting quickly to introduce legislation to tackle this crisis.

“The abolition of Section 21 evictions is long overdue and requiring landlords to provide a valid reason for eviction will give tenants more confidence to challenge disrepair and poor treatment by landlords and letting agents.

“Under the last government’s proposals, landlords could still evict tenants if they wanted to sell or move in, just six months into the tenancy, with only two months’ notice and with no support to find a new home.”

He added: “Renters will be reassured that the government is planning longer notice periods and other protections in these cases.

“These should include more time in our homes without fear of losing them, and support with the costs if we are asked to move for reasons beyond our control.”

‘Egregious practice of bidding wars’

He continued: “The government is right to take a stand on the egregious practice of bidding wars, but the proposed measures risk being ineffective at countering the problem.

“Permitting would-be tenants to ‘voluntarily’ bid above the asking price will just see this practice becoming the norm, such is the imbalance of power when renters are desperate to find a home.

“This move risks seeing the government having to revisit the issue, as has been recently seen in the Australian state of Victoria.”

Mr Wilson Craw added: “The government has also promised to provide tenants with greater protections against unreasonable within-tenancy rent increases, but if ministers have ruled out caps linked to inflation or wage growth it is unclear how this will be an improvement on the status quo.

“They risk a missed opportunity if landlords can continue to raise rent on existing tenants to an unaffordable market rate, leading to evictions in all but name.”

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