Renters may find relief as Labour's Renters Rights Bill could potentially bring about significant change in the housing market
The UK government is set to introduce a new Renters Rights Bill this autumn, as Prime Minister Keir Starmer seeks to provide tenants with tough new protections and raise standards for rental properties.
The bill, proposed by the Labour party, aims to empower renters against landlords and end no-fault evictions. According to a YouGov poll, 227,000 private renters in England have been served a 'no-fault' eviction notice in the past three years.
One of the key changes proposed by the Renters Rights Bill is the abolition of fixed-term assured shorthold tenancies (ASTs), converting all tenancies into periodic ones to increase tenant security. This move would allow tenants to challenge rent increases without fear of eviction, as the bill also limits rent increases by allowing landlords to raise rent only once a year through Section 13 notices.
The bill also aims to expand grounds for possession under Section 8, updating and adding both mandatory and discretionary reasons for landlords to regain possession, compensating for the abolition of Section 21 evictions. This means that landlords would need to go through county courts to force an eviction, providing tenants with more protection.
Other measures included in the bill are:
- Banning rental bidding wars, so landlords and agents cannot accept offers above the advertised price.
- Introducing a landlord ombudsman to provide an impartial dispute resolution mechanism for tenant-landlord conflicts.
- Creating a Private Rented Sector database, mandating landlords to register, increasing transparency and enforcing compliance with legal standards.
- Applying the Decent Homes Standard to all rental properties, ensuring minimum quality living conditions.
- Prohibiting discrimination against tenants on benefits or with children, promoting fair access to housing.
- Allowing tenants to keep pets, prohibiting landlords from unreasonably refusing tenants with pets.
- Strengthening Rent Repayment Orders (RROs) that enable enforcement against landlord breaches, doubling the maximum repayable rent from 12 to 24 months and extending penalties to include company directors and superior landlords as well as second offences.
- Introducing multi-tiered enforcement, with civil penalties up to £7,000, criminal sanctions up to £40,000, and mandatory landlord registration as prerequisites for possession orders, reinforcing strict regulatory adherence.
The Renters Rights Bill is a step in the right direction towards providing more security and fairness for renters. In addition, the bill seeks to increase the availability of free legal advice and support through legal aid for renters, which could encourage more renters to take their landlords to court over issues such as withholding their deposit or refusing to pay for necessary damages or maintenance.
The UK government has also promised to fund local authorities and provide them with greater power to identify and fine landlords who don't maintain property standards, further supporting the bill's aim to raise rental standards.
[1] https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/renters-reform-bill-consultation/renters-reform-bill-consultation [2] https://www.labour.org.uk/policy-and-manifestos/policy-areas/housing/renters-rights/ [3] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-58601479 [4] https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/mar/30/labour-vows-to-end-no-fault-evictions-as-it-unveils-renters-rights-bill
The Renters Rights Bill, currently under discussion in UK politics, intends to provide renters with more security and fairness, as outlined in the Labour party's proposal. This general-news story details plans to abolish no-fault evictions, limit rent increases, and establish a landlord ombudsman, among other measures aimed at benefiting renters and raising standards in the private rental sector. For more information, refer to the links provided: [1], [2], [3], [4].
