The Renters’ Rights Bill must be workable for all landlords and tenants, experts have warned, as it reaches committee stage in the House of Lords today.

Propertymark has urged the Government to listen to Peers and act on amendments that strike a fair and workable balance for everyone involved.

It has campaigned for some of their amendments such as mandatory qualifications for letting agents, retaining fixed term tenancies as an option, court capacity for when no fault evictions are abolished and extending the deposit cap for renting with pets.

The letting agents’ group also wants measures to register short term lets to come in alongside these regulations to level the playing field.

Support for landlords

Timothy Douglas, of Propertymark, said: “It remains imperative there is adequate support for landlords to plan and implement all necessary changes, and that all new legalisation is kept under full review ensuring it remains relevant, evidence-based and fit for purpose moving forwards.”

Propertymark reports that members have sent more than 250 letters and emails about the amendments as there is a real concern among letting agents that overly restrictive regulations will reduce the supply of rental homes, drive up rent prices and make it even more difficult for tenants to find affordable housing.

The NRLA has also urged the Government to back amendments or risk saddling the sector with unworkable reforms and wants a review of the impact on the justice system ahead of scrapping Section 21.

However, tenant groups have voiced concerns that peers are trying to delay the Bill and get concessions from the Government. Nearly one in five (162) sitting peers are landlords, and more than 100 have financial interests in property, lettings and real estate, according to research by the Renters’ Reform Coalition.

After the amendments are debated in the Lords, the Bill will go back to the Commons before both Houses reach agreement. Royal Assent is expected in June or July.

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