Renters (Reform) Bill could be delayed by amendments

Campaigners worry that Bill won’t be passed before general election but government maintains that no-fault evictions will be banned before voters go to the polls

Proposed amendments to the Renters (Reform) Bill could see protection for renters watered down and rights for landlords increased.

The Bill, introduced last May, would ban landlords from evicting tenants without a reason, such as when they wish to sell the property or when they or a close family member want to move in. However, it has not yet passed through the House of Lords and is facing a lengthy delay as ministers seek to make amendments.

Last year, MPs on the housing committee warned eliminating no-fault or section 21 evictions could increase pressure on the courts. Draft documents seen by the BBC and circulated via WhatsApp to lobbying backbench Tory MPs, many of whom are landlords, suggest the government want to delay the ban until an assessment of its impact on the courts has been published by the justice secretary.

Tom Darling, Campaign Manager of Renters' Reform Coalition said: “We are now very concerned this vital legislation won’t get passed before the election – if it doesn’t, it would be an outrageous betrayal of England’s 11 million private renters.

“Rather than watering the legislation down, the government need to be strengthening it…”

“The Renters (Reform) Bill has many positive aspects but is still insufficient to address the scale of the crisis in the private rented sector,” he added. “Rather than watering the legislation down, the government need to be strengthening it – one critical change the government must implement is increasing notice periods for renters when they are forced to move.”

Almost 9,500 households in England had their homes repossessed by county court bailiffs after receiving a Section 21 eviction notice last year. Over 100 council leaders have written to Michael Gove, Secretary of State for Housing, urging changes to the legislation, including allowing tenants four months’ notice if they are being evicted through no fault of their own.

A Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities spokesperson said: “Our landmark Renters (Reform) Bill will deliver a fairer private rented sector for both tenants and landlords. It will abolish section 21 evictions – giving people more security in their homes and empowering them to challenge poor practices. We continue to meet regularly with a range of groups, representing all those in the private rented sector."

The National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA), which represents over 100,000 landlords, welcomed the government’s hypothetical amendments, but urged an end to the current delays.

“The NRLA has consistently campaigned for the bill to balance the protections promised to tenants and the legitimate business needs of landlords to enable them to continue to provide rented homes,” said Ben Beadle, Chief Executive of NRLA. “If the government is considering amendments that would provide assurances to landlords with a six-month minimum term and ensure confidence for all in the court process, then that balance would be struck.”

Angela Rayner, Deputy Labour Leader and Shadow Housing Secretary accused the government of betraying renters while Labour has promised to ban no-fault evictions, "no ifs, no buts", if it wins a general election.

The government maintains that no-fault evictions will be banned before the election and promises to review selective licensing, the system by which councils can regulate landlords and enforce standards.

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