The Renters’ Rights Bill is one of several bills being held up in the Parliamentary process and isn’t expected to become law until at least the autumn, according to the Financial Times.
The report stage has been scheduled for three days in the House of Lords - 1st, 7th and 15th July – raising the prospect that it could become law before Parliamentary recess. While there is still time before the Houses’ summer break, it now looks more doubtful that the bill will make it across the line.
The FT quotes a government official as saying: “We never said we would definitely get either bill on to the statute books by the summer.”
Renter groups have reacted with dismay that reforms including the end of section 21 evictions may not take effect until next year. Tom Darling, (pictured) director at the Renters’ Reform Coalition, says renters will feel let down yet again. “With every month that passes thousands more renters are faced with a no-fault eviction. The government must show a renewed impetus to get this over the line,” he adds.
Chris Norris, the NRLA’s chief policy officer, tells LandlordZONE that it’s vital to ensure the changes happen as smoothly as possible for the sake of renters and responsible landlords.
“The government needs to be clear with everyone when it will implement its reforms. At a minimum, six months will be needed to ensure the sector is fully prepared once the bill is passed by Parliament,” says Norris.
“Work needed will include updating tenancy agreements for nearly five million households; ensuring landlords, agents, tenants, councils and others fully understand the new laws; mortgage and insurance providers adjusting policies; adapting court processes as needed and ensuring letting agents can update their internal processes and IT systems. None of this is going to happen overnight.”
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