RENTERS' REFORM BILL
The long awaited legislation to improve renters’ rights has finally been introduced to UK Parliament.
Propertymark, the professional body for the property sector, has said, improvements to the private rented sector are much needed but the detail must deliver a fair system for both landlords and tenants.
On initial review, the Bill and guidance are limited to the areas that Propertymark has been in ongoing discussion with DLUHC (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities) on, throughout recent months.
The key areas:
- No fault eviction abolished, all tenancies to move to periodic
- Introduce more possession grounds where tenants are at fault, for example in cases of anti-social behaviour and repeat rent arrears
- Provide stronger protections against retaliatory evictions
- Introduce a new Private Rented Sector Ombudsman to reduce pressure on the courts
- Create a Portal for landlords and tenants to understand responsibilities and obligations
- Give tenants the right to request a pet in the property. Landlords will be able to require pet insurance to cover any damage to their property
Further improvements to the private rented sector
Align the abolition of Section 21 and new possession grounds with court improvements including the end-to-end digitisation of the process and prioritisation of anti-social behaviour
Beyond this, the intention is to focus on applying the Decent Homes Standard to the private rented sector and strengthen local councils’ enforcement powers to help target criminal landlords
The next stages
We are reviewing all of the material released today and will feed briefings to MPs ahead of the next stage, keeping members updated through the coming days
The measures will be introduced in stages and as the provisions are passed into law, we will support letting agents to understand the changes to ensure they are implemented successfully.
Read the full bill here: Renters (Reform) Bill