All bets are off on whether the Renters’ Rights Bill becomes law before the parliamentary summer recess, according to industry experts.
The bill is set for the report stage and third reading in the Lords before returning to the Commons, and although there is still time before 22nd July, NRLA boss Ben Beadle reckons this depends on other matters that government have to prioritise.
Also, the Bill isn’t included in the Lords’ business for June. However, Sean Hooker, head of redress at Property Redress, tells LandlordZONE: “I think the government will be looking to pass the bill before the recess so perhaps they’ll shoehorn it in July as they probably only need a couple of days.
“I don’t think it’s in their interest not to do that as civil servants then have the summer to put the guidance together.”
Speaking on the latest Listen Up Landlords podcast, Beadle adds: “Whether or not it’s before July or into September, I think a lot of what the sector are craving certainty over is when actually is it going to take effect from? When do we need to start doing anything? And I think our best bet there is feasibly the new year.”
Many in the sector believe it could be six or even 12 months after Royal Assent before everything in the bill is implemented.
While the government is keen to bring in the abolition of Section 21 and the shift to periodic tenancies, other parts may be staggered, as there are a plethora of statutory instruments needed for many measures to be workable.
At the end of committee stage in the Lords, Housing Minister Baroness Taylor of Stevenage told peers: “It is essential that wider work around the bill is allowed to conclude before implementation takes place. That includes the production of guidance updating court forms and making secondary legislation.
“For example, the information that landlords are required to give tenants in the written statement of terms will be set out in secondary legislation. We will appoint the date of implementation via secondary legislation.”
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