Summer delay announced for rental reforms

It’s been confirmed that the Renters’ Rights Bill won’t receive Royal Assent until after the parliamentary summer break.

The Leader of the House of Commons has scheduled consideration of House of Lords amendments for 8th September, MPs’ second week back, after continued debate over amendments made by peers. The delay will disappoint both industry groups who have pressed the government for an implementation timetable and tenant groups calling for the immediate banning of Section 21.

Sean Hooker, head of redress at Property Redress, says this announcement gives the sector some clarity. “Royal Assent will most likely now be before Parliament rises on 16th September for Conference Season, giving the government the opportunity to herald it to the faithful and wider world,” he adds.

Accepted

If all the amendments made by the Lords had been accepted, the Bill could have been squeezed through, explains Hooker. However with points of difference now on what constitutes the burden of proof for local authorities determining a fine for discrimination and extending the DHS to armed forces homes being won - despite government opposition - being the latest amendments added, a quick ping pong was not possible.

Technical

The Third Reading in the Lords next week could also add a few technical and procedural amends that Peers feel could improve the Bill and these would need proper consideration. However, the fundamentals of the bill will not change, he adds.

"Following the withdrawal of a proposed amendment to allow landlords whose agents are members of an agent redress scheme to be exempt from joining the new ombudsman, the government promise to start working with us to ensure there is a simple and joined up process for cooperation, data sharing and sign posting is welcome," says Hooker. “The government’s commitment to keeping the current redress regime for agents and concentrating on the tenant’s pathway is also positive and sensible and recognising what works well and incorporating it in the new improvements is the key to the success of this part of the changes.”

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