Renters Reform Bill fair for both tenants and landlords – NRLA

Landlords group advocates for swift passage of the bill

By Rommel Lontayao

24 Apr 2024

As the Renters (Reform) Bill reaches its final stages in the House of Commons, the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) said “it is now time to ensure the bill passes through Parliament.”

Emphasising the legislation’s dual benefits for tenants and landlords, Ben Beadle (pictured), NRLA chief executive, advocated for the swift passage of the bill, highlighting its potential to provide greater certainty within the rental sector.

“This bill delivers a fair deal for tenants and responsible landlords,” he said. “For renters, the bill will abolish section 21 repossessions and fixed term tenancies, introduce a Decent Homes Standard for the sector, a new Ombudsman and Property Portal which landlords will have to join as well as measures to protect families and those in receipt of benefits from discrimination.

Under the new legislation, eviction decisions will be made by the courts based on legitimate grounds such as anti-social behaviour by tenants, severe rent arrears, or if a landlord intends to sell the property.

Despite these safeguards, tenant advocacy group Generation Rent has expressed concerns that landlords selling their properties remains a leading cause of homelessness.

Beadle argues that ensuring landlords feel secure enough to remain in the market is crucial to prevent a shortage of rental homes.

“Greater security for tenants will mean nothing if the rental homes are not there in the first place,” he said.

The bill also incorporates several amendments recommended by the cross-party housing select committee, aimed at achieving a balanced approach that protects tenants while enabling responsible landlords to continue renting out their properties.

One key amendment stipulates that tenants cannot issue a two-month notice to vacate until they have resided in a property for at least four months, thus ensuring landlords receive a minimum of six months’ rent at the start of a tenancy. Additional safeguards will permit tenants to leave earlier if the property fails to meet decent living standards or in cases of domestic abuse.

Further changes include a review of the court system’s capacity before the repeal of section 21 for existing tenancies. The select committee highlighted the need for landlords to feel confident about regaining possession under section 8, citing concerns over rent arrears and antisocial behaviour. The committee stressed that without adequate court capacity, the intended reforms could falter.

Additionally, the amendments ensure that all types of student accommodation, including smaller one and two-bedroom properties, are included under the planned grounds for possession. This measure aims to support the unique turnover cycle of the student housing market and has garnered support from the Labour-led Local Government Association, which believes it will bolster confidence among landlords of non-house in multiple occupation student properties.

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