Proposed changes to bill “neither practical nor responsible”
A coalition of landlord and property industry organisations has expressed concern over the potential impact of the government’s Renters’ Rights Bill, which is set to reach its final stages in the House of Commons.
In a joint statement, the National Residential Landlords Association, British Property Federation, Goodlord, Leaders Romans Group, and Propertymark acknowledged the end of Section 21 “no-fault” evictions and supported measures to ensure rental properties meet quality standards.
However, they cautioned that proposed changes could make it harder for vulnerable renters to secure housing.
“Limiting rent in advance, combined with frozen housing benefit rates and a shortage of rental housing, will make it all but impossible for those with poor or no credit histories in the UK to prove their ability to sustain tenancies,” the statement read.
The coalition noted that groups likely to be affected include international students, overseas workers, and individuals with variable or short-term incomes. They argued that reducing landlords’ ability to seek assurances, such as rent paid in advance, would leave those already struggling with affordability checks at greater risk of being excluded from the rental market.
“This approach is neither practical nor responsible,” they said, warning that it could disproportionately harm the most vulnerable renters.
The Renters’ Rights Bill aims to overhaul the private rental sector by banning no-fault evictions and addressing issues such as substandard housing. Critics, however, have raised concerns about whether the reforms could unintentionally exacerbate housing shortages and affordability challenges.
The debate over the bill centres on the ongoing tension between enhancing tenant protections and ensuring landlords can operate sustainably in an already constrained rental market. The coalition called on the government to consider the unintended consequences of the proposed changes and ensure measures are in place to protect both tenants and landlords.
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