The Renters’ Rights Bill has had its second reading, the first time the bill has been addressed in Parliament since it was announced in September, and the first time it’s been debated by other parties. The main goal of the Renters’ Rights Bill is to ensure that all tenants can live “in a decent, safe and affordable home”. Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner highlighted that good landlords have nothing to worry about and that this legislation will eliminate the “bad apples” in the sector. Now that the second reading is complete, the Bill will move to the Committee Stage where more detailed scrutiny will take place.
Abolishing Section 21 “no fault” evictions was a focal point of the second reading. Rayner stated that many tenants “live in fear of Section 21,” and scrapping it would bring much-needed stability to families. Labour MPs argued that removing this provision will give tenants the confidence to report issues like damp, mould, or rent hikes without fear of eviction. However, as MPs highlighted, there are growing concerns about how the courts will handle a potential increase in repossession orders. Letting agents and landlords already face long waits of up to 12 weeks for bailiff warrants. Strengthening the court system will be key to ensuring landlords can regain possession swiftly when justified. To support these changes, the Bill proposes a digitised county court process, which aims to resolve disputes more efficiently.
The Property Ombudsman will play a crucial role in helping resolve issues before they escalate to legal proceedings, reducing the strain on the courts. This could mean faster resolutions for disputes between landlords and tenants. The Renters’ Rights Bill introduces a mandatory landlord requirement, which will ensure that they provide detailed information regarding each rental property they may have, including their standards and compliance with the law. The aim is to improve transparency and raise standards across the rental sector, aiming to “benefit landlords and tenants alike.” Letting agents will need to ensure their landlords are fully compliant, as failing to register or provide accurate information could lead to penalties.
