In a bid to ensure the successful implementation of the Renters Reform Bill currently under consideration in Parliament, Propertymark is urging local authorities to organize landlord forums. The estate agency trade group has highlighted the importance of active engagement between authorities, letting agents, and landlords to navigate the changes proposed by the bill.
According to a Freedom of Information request conducted by Propertymark, a staggering 52% of local authorities in England have not conducted a landlord forum since 2021. Concerned about the lack of communication, the trade group addressed a letter to Jacob Young, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, in January. In the letter, Propertymark emphasized the necessity for the UK government to provide resources to local authorities for organizing landlord forums and urged the minister to encourage councils to prioritize these forums as well.
Tim Thomas, the Policy and Campaigns Officer at Propertymark, emphasized the crucial role that local authorities play in facilitating discussions with letting agents and landlords. He stated, “English local authorities must hold more forums with letting agents and landlords. The proposals in the Renters Reform Bill will bring substantial change to the private rented sector, but the legislation will only succeed if local authorities are provided with sufficient resources to engage with letting agents and landlords.”
The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for the Private Rented Sector had previously cautioned that reforms to the private rented sector by the UK government would not be successful without adequate resources to enforce them. The Renters Reform Bill contains provisions such as the abolition of Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions and the introduction of a new Decent Homes Standard.
Propertymark contends that if the Renters Reform Bill becomes law, it is imperative for local authorities to actively engage with landlords and consider specific interactions with property agents. Failure to do so, according to Propertymark, could result in the Renters Reform Bill falling short of the intended impact envisioned by the government. As the bill progresses through Parliament, the need for effective communication channels between local authorities and stakeholders becomes increasingly vital for the successful execution of proposed reforms in the private rented sector.