Fears are growing that the government is going soft on its commitment to the Renters Reform Bill.
In the Commons, Labour’s Lucy Powell (below right) asked where all the flagship Bills had gone and told MPs: “We hear that the Renters (Reform) Bill is being held to ransom, on the brink of collapse because the government will not stand up to landlords on their own side and end no-fault evictions. Second Reading and Committee stage happened in November, but there has been nothing since. That is a manifesto commitment, so when will we get Report stage? If the Government do not end no-fault evictions, we will.”
Leader of the House Penny Mordaunt said the government was on track with legislation, but did not refer to the Renters Reform Bill.
These concerns have prompted the NRLA and anti-homelessness charity Crisis to send a joint letter calling for the government to urgently provide clarity on the Bill’s future amid speculation about possible draft amendments published by some 50 MPs which would water down the legislation.
They told Housing Secretary Michael Gove: “The rumour, speculation and a litany of off-the record briefings are causing a huge amount of concern and uncertainty for tenants and responsible landlords. We therefore call on the Government to publish, as a matter of urgency and in full, any amendments it might now be considering so that all parties can judge for themselves what is on the table and debate the substance in public."
It added: “Time is running out to ensure that this Bill can complete its passage through Parliament with the proper consideration it deserves.”
According to a Financial Times analysis, the working day for MPs in the House of Commons chamber has been shorter on average this parliamentary session than in any other in the past quarter century.
Fleur Anderson’s private members’ bill - Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 (Amendment) – has its second reading in the Commons today, which would make it mandatory for private landlords to fix problems including mould.
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