The new Labour Government will bring a Renters’ Rights Bill to Parliament this year, introducing several reforms to the Private Rented Sector. Many of these replicate the legislative changes included in the Renters (Reform) Bill, which was dropped when Parliament dissolved ahead of the July 2024 general election. Here, TDS examines what will be included in the new Bill.
Abolishing Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions and other reforms
Continuing the reforms that were due under the Renters (Reform) Bill, the new Renters’ Rights Bill will:
Abolish Section 21 evictions – Known as ‘no fault’ evictions, these allow landlords to end tenancies without reason and will be made illegal.
Clarify and expand the grounds for property possession – This could potentially make it easier for landlords to repossess their properties in certain circumstances (e.g., in relation to anti-social behavior).
Grant tenants the right to request a pet – Landlords will be able to request insurance for potential pet damage.
Apply a Decent Homes Standard to private rented housing – This would replicate, with some differences, the minimum quality standard that currently applies to social housing.
Prohibit discrimination against tenants in receipt of benefits or with children – It is hoped this will make it easier for these tenants to access new tenancies.
Introduce a new Private Rented Sector Ombudsman – This is intended to support quicker, cheaper resolution of disputes, providing fair, impartial and binding decisions for landlords and tenants.
Creating a digital private rented sector database – Similar to the ‘Property Portal’ proposed under the Renter’s Reform Bill, this will provide tenants’ with information to support their decisions when choosing a rental property, help landlords to understand their obligations and demonstrate compliance, and support council’s enforcement activities against illegal landlord activity. While details have yet to be confirmed, Labour said earlier this year that it would introduce a national register of landlords.
Labour’s new policy proposals
While Labour supported the previous Government’s Renters (Reform) Bill, the party felt that the Bill did not go far enough. The new Renters’ Rights Bill is likely to include some differences. The additional reforms that we know about are:
Introducing Awaab’s Law to private rented housing – This will set legal expectations for landlords to address serious hazards within specific timeframes.
Banning rental bidding wars by landlords and letting agents – This will stop new tenants from having to pay more rent than originally advertised.
Empowering tenants to challenge rent increases – It is currently unclear if this will go further than the former Renters (Reform) Bill’s proposal that tenants could go to the First-Tier Tribunal to appeal against rent increases.
