The Renters (Reform) Bill – what will it mean?
The Renters (Reform) Bill (“RRB”) received its first reading in the House of Commons on 17 May 2023, following the publication on 16 June 2022 of the government’s White Paper “A Fairer Private Rented Sector” and its response to the consultation “A new deal for renting”.
The RRB sets out proposed changes to the private residential sector in England, including:
- Abolition of evictions under section 21 of the Housing Act 1988 (often referred to as “no-fault” evictions).
- A move away from assured shorthold tenancies. Instead, all assured shorthold tenancies will be periodic (i.e. no initial fixed term).
- New grounds of possession available to landlords using the section 8 procedure, for example, where a landlord wishes to sell the property or allow close family to live there.
- Making it easier for landlords to repossess their properties where tenants are at fault, such as in cases of anti-social behaviour and repeat rent arrears.
- The introduction of a new Ombudsman to settle disputes.
- A new portal providing information to both landlords and tenants and a requirement to join the Ombudsman scheme.
- Making it easier for tenants to appeal above market rents designed purely to force them out.
- Giving tenants the right to request to keep a pet in the property, which the landlord cannot unreasonably refuse.
- The RRB will amend the Tenant Fees Act 2019 so that landlords can require tenants to pay pet insurance to cover any damage to their property.
Whilst the RRB is yet to reach Parliament, landlords need to be aware of the significant changes which will come into effect if it is enacted in its current form.
We will be hosting a webinar on The Renters (Reform) Bill on Thursday 6th July 2023 at 10:30am, where Senior Associate Elizabeth Gibson will be discussing the proposed changes and how they might affect landlords and tenants alike in further detail.
To book your place or for more information, please call 01603 675647 or email events@rogers-norton.co.uk
Upon booking, we will send you a Microsoft Teams link and full joining instructions to attend the webinar.