Renters’ Rights Bill: Where Things Stand Now

The Renters’ Rights Bill - which is being described as the most significant shake-up of landlord-tenant law in a generation - has just cleared the House of Lords. Here’s a simple breakdown of what’s changed, what’s been proposed, and what’s still to come.

What is the Renters’ Rights Bill?

This Bill aims to modernise and rebalance the rental sector. Key changes include:

• An end to fixed-term tenancies - all tenancies will become periodic (rolling) by default.

• No more Section 21 evictions - so-called ‘no fault’ evictions will no longer be allowed.

And that’s just scratching the surface.

What’s happened so far?

The Bill was first introduced in September last year and has since passed through several stages in the House of Commons. MPs have debated it, amended it, and sent it over to the House of Lords for review.

What did the House of Lords change?

The Lords proposed a number of changes, including:

• Landlords should be able to charge a pet deposit of up to three weeks’ rent.

• Where a landlord evicts a tenant to sell a property, they can relet it after six months (reduced from the originally proposed 12 months).

• Special rules for properties used by carers and agricultural workers.

• Provisions to end student tenancies in line with the academic calendar.

• A recommendation to expand the courts and tribunals system to support the new legislation.

There was also debate around proof requirements for civil penalties, and guidance for letting agents on staying compliant.

What did the government change?

In response to the Lords’ suggestions, the government introduced several amendments of their own:

• Pet insurance will no longer be mandatory for tenants with pets.

• Local councils can now inspect rented properties without prior notice to the landlord.

• Restrictions on rent in advance won’t apply to current tenancies.

• A tweak around rent increase timings if taken to tribunal.

What happens next?

The Bill now returns to the House of Commons for MPs to consider the Lords’ changes. However, with the government holding a strong majority, it’s expected that most of the Lords’ amendments will be rejected.

After that, the Bill goes for Royal Assent and becomes law - though many of the changes will be phased in gradually.

Given Parliament is now on its summer break, the earliest this can happen is September, with predictions pointing to late September or shortly after (around the time of the Labour Party conference).