Renters’ Rights Bill has date set for Committee Stage.
The Renters’ Rights Bill, a key piece of legislation aimed at improving protections for tenants in England, is set to return to the House of Lords next month. On 22 April, the Committee Stage of the Bill will begin, with peers examining it in detail, debating, and considering its many proposed amendments. This stage is critical, as it allows lawmakers to scrutinise the Bill and ensure that its provisions reflect the needs of tenants and landlords alike.
The Committee Stage is expected to take several days, with sessions already confirmed for 22 and 23 April. Further dates are anticipated as the debate continues. The aim of this phase is to ensure that all proposed amendments are thoroughly debated. In total, 50 pages of amendments have already been submitted since the Bill’s last discussion in the Lords on 4 February. Given the nature of the amendments, debates are expected to be extensive, with no set time limit on how long each discussion can last. This provides peers with ample opportunity to speak on the amendments and contribute to shaping the final version of the Bill.
Following the Committee Stage, the Bill will move through two more stages in the Lords before being returned to the House of Commons for final approval and Royal Assent. This process is expected to conclude by the summer. However, the work doesn’t stop there. Once the Bill receives Royal Assent, secondary legislation will need to be introduced to elaborate on certain provisions, such as the requirements for written statements in periodic tenancies.
Key Proposed Amendments to the Renters’ Rights Bill
Since the Bill’s second reading, a number of proposed amendments have been tabled by members of the House of Lords. These changes aim to refine and clarify certain key elements, to make them more practical and balanced for both tenants and landlords. Here are 15 proposed amendments, from the top topics that we get asked about from landlords. It is important to note that these are only proposed amendments from peers and, whether they find themselves in the final version of the Bill or not, remains to be seen.
Top 15 proposed amendments:
- Retention of Fixed-Term Tenancies: Fixed-term tenancies of up to 12 months to be maintained, with the option for tenants to agree extensions after four months of occupation.
- Student Tenancies: Student tenancies to remain fixed-term, offering stability for both students and landlords.
- Small Landlord Protections: Small landlords (those with fewer than five properties) to be able to use Section 21 to issue so called “no-fault” evictions.
- Discretionary Possession Grounds: All grounds for possession to become discretionary, giving judges more flexibility in decisions.
- Notice to Quit: Tenants to be required to give notice to quit no earlier than four months after starting a tenancy, raising the minimum tenancy term to six months (from 2, as in the Bill currently).
- Delay in Removal of Section 21: The removal of Section 21 is proposed to be delayed until the Lord Chancellor has assessed the possession process and the Secretary of State ensures sufficient court capacity.
- Rent Payments in Advance: Tenants may agree to pay up to 12 months of rent in advance, a provision particularly useful for overseas students.
- Rent Increases: For the first four years of a tenancy, rent increases to be linked to an index rather than market levels, with tenants limited in challenging increases.
- Rent Tribunal Role: The requirement that only a rent tribunal can decrease rent will be removed, preventing tenants from appealing rent increases solely to delay implementation.
- Guarantor Restrictions: A proposal that there will be limitations on when landlords can request a guarantor, providing more protection for tenants.
- Training for Agents: New training and qualification standards to be introduced for letting agents.
- Pet Deposits: Landlords to be at liberty to accept larger deposits for tenants with pets, offering greater security for both parties.
- Insurance for Pets: A call for the development of better insurance products for tenants with pets, providing landlords with peace of mind and greater security.
- Property Availability: Properties should be made available for rent six months after being marketed for sale, rather than the 12 months currently proposed.
As the Renters’ Rights Bill moves through the legislative process, these and other amendments will continue to evolve, reflecting the ongoing dialogue between the two Houses.
Stay Updated
The Renters’ Rights Bill represents the largest shake up of the private rental sector, in the last 30+ years and has the potential to significantly reshape the rental landscape in the UK. As it progresses through the legislative stages of both the House of Lords and the House of Commons, it is important to stay informed about its developments. We encourage you to follow our newsletters and social media channels for all the latest updates on the Bill’s progress and any new amendments that may emerge in the coming weeks.
As Landlords and Investors ourselves, we can help and advise on all aspects of your portfolio. If we can help you then give us a call on 0117 440 6789 or email us here together we can make being a landlord simple, passive and stress free!
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