The Renters Reform Bill, currently making its way through Parliament, is poised for major adjustments as it advances to the Committee Stage. The bill, which successfully passed its Second Reading last Monday, now enters the third of its five crucial stages in the House of Commons.
The Committee Stage, traditionally commencing approximately two weeks after the Second Reading, is a pivotal phase in the bill’s journey. This stage will be formally scheduled, and a specific start date is expected to be announced shortly.
During the Committee Stage, the bill will undergo scrutiny by external experts and individuals with strong opinions on rental matters. The chair of the committee will select amendments, and only committee members will have the privilege to vote on whether to accept or reject proposed changes.
A statement released by the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) over the weekend anticipates substantial modifications to the Renters Reform Bill during the Committee Stage. The NRLA has pledged to provide evidence to ensure that any proposed changes do not further erode landlord confidence and that the amended bill supports responsible landlords.
Once the committee convenes, daily amendments to the bill proposed by Members of Parliament will be published, collated into a marshalled list for each day of discussion. Every clause within the bill is subject to potential modification, approval, or removal, though in some less contentious cases, changes may be implemented without extensive debate.
The Labour Party has indicated its intention to advocate for measures extending beyond those already contained in the bill. Particular focus will be placed on broadening the scope of rent repayment orders, altering possession grounds to shield tenants from ‘no fault’ evictions, and prohibiting blanket bans on landlords accepting tenants with children or those in receipt of benefits.
In contrast, the government has made it clear that it will not implement the bill’s flagship policy – the abolition of Section 21 eviction powers – until a reform of the court possession process is executed.
The Committee Stage is expected to conclude by Tuesday, December 5. If significant amendments are made, the bill will be reprinted before entering the Report Stage. During the Report Stage, the amended bill will be debated on the floor of the House of Commons, and further modifications can be proposed.
As Parliament prepares for its Christmas recess, which commences on December 19, MPs will return on January 8, 2024, with the Renters Reform Bill’s fate hanging in the balance, subject to the outcomes of the Committee and Report Stages.