The Renters’ Rights Bill had its second reading in Parliament earlier this month, with deputy PM Angela Rayner inviting debate from other parties.
The government’s aim is for tenants to live in a “decent, safe and affordable home”
Rayner explained how the bill aims to offer all UK tenants a safe place to live. She also added that good landlords have nothing to worry about and that the bill’s legislation was aimed at getting rid of bad apples.
The main takeaways from the second reading
Section 21, so-called “no-fault” evictions
The second reading, on October 9, focused on the abolition of Section 21 evictions. Many tenants, said Rayner, lived under the constant threat of a no-fault eviction and so scrapping them would offer stability to thousands of families.
The end of S21 evictions would also, claim Labour MPs, give tenants the confidence to report problems like mould and unfair rent rises without the threat of eviction.
Bringing the dispute process up to date
Some MPs argued that letting agents and landlords already have long waits – sometimes up to 12 weeks – to start proceedings in the case of justified evictions.
A stronger and more modern legal system for landlords will, in these cases, help landlords to gain possession of their properties when they are justified in asking tenants to leave. A digitised process for county courts will help to resolve disputes faster and a Property Ombudsman will help to stop disputes even reaching the courts.
A new landlord database
The Renters’ Rights Bill will also bring in a mandatory landlord database requirement, which asks for detailed information on each property a landlord owns and lets. The information will include the properties’ standards and how well they comply with various laws.
Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs)
EPC ratings also came under scrutiny at the reading, as Labour plans to upgrade the country’s rentals to an EPC rating of at least C. These changes aren’t coming through the RR Bill, but landlords and letting agents need to get ready to make the necessary improvements to their properties.
What happens next?
The Renters’ Rights Bill will move onto the committee stage and onto further scrutiny and debate.
The date for this stage isn’t set, but everyone involved in the letting sector should stay abreast of developments and be ready to act on its requirements and regulations in order to remain compliant.
