In a setback for the eagerly anticipated Renters Reform Bill, the Leader of the House, Conservative MP Penny Mordaunt, has announced that the contentious legislation’s Third Reading will not take place this week. The bill, subject to criticism within the House of Commons and allegedly slowed down due to its unpopularity among several Tories, concluded its Committee Stage on December 6 but has yet to be scheduled for its pivotal Third Reading.
While the Commons addresses various pressing matters this week, including trade, media, social security, and foreign affairs, Mordaunt asserts that there is no allocated time for the consideration of the rental sector reform legislation.
The Renters Reform Coalition, comprising tenant activist groups such as the controversial Acorn organization, has voiced dissatisfaction with what they perceive as an unjustified delay. In a statement, the coalition expressed concern, stating, “Once again, still no sign of the Renters Reform Bill as @commonsleader @pennymordauntonce announces the order of business for the coming weeks. Homelessness is at record levels, yet the Government is progressing legislation that could help address this at snail’s pace.”
Last week, Propertymark conducted a poll involving 650 letting agents to gauge their views and concerns about the bill. The resulting report revealed several noteworthy points:
- 73% of agents consider the bill fundamentally unfair.
- Over 60% believe the removal of fixed-term tenancies will adversely impact tenants.
- 70% agree that student lets should be exempt from the removal of fixed-term tenancies.
- Only 54% believe the government’s new PRS Database will enhance PRS standards.
- 90% agree that possession grounds, including breach of contract, repeated late payment of rent, and securing a let on the basis of false information, should be made mandatory.
Based on feedback from Propertymark members, key recommendations include expanding the proposed PRS Database and Property Portal to incorporate qualification, registration, and regulation requirements for property agents. Additionally, the report suggests that tenants should have the option to agree to a fixed-term tenancy when mutually beneficial, and private landlords should be able to join existing redress schemes for the private rented sector, such as the Property Redress Scheme or The Property Ombudsman.
Other recommendations propose introducing a statutory code of practice for the sector, establishing a long-term plan for a specialist housing court, removing local licensing scheme requirements if the portal is introduced, and incorporating inventories and check-in/check-out reports into the Bill to expedite the return of deposits at the end of tenancy.