The Renters Reform Bill has been promised since 2019, and as it progresses through Parliament it will create significant changes to the Private Rental Sector. Abolishing Section 21 notices removes “No Fault” evictions for tenants, and should help alleviate stress for tenants who may be concerned about being asked to leave a property at the end of a lease. Hopefully, it will allow families to confidently put down long-term roots within the communities they live. However, it is worth remembering that in the vast majority of cases, it is the tenant who gives notice to the landlord to end a lease, so this may not have a huge impact on the market overall. Once this new system is in place, it may make it easier for landlords to take possession of their properties from tenants for anti-social behaviour or repeatedly missing rent payments for example. Importantly, if a landlord is to move back into the property, or if it is to be sold, that would be a reason for a lease to be concluded, so landlords will still be able to sell their properties should they wish to. The plans to digitise court hearings will also likely improve the speed at which legitimate possession cases are processed.
The application of the Decent Homes Standard to the Private Tented Sector is sensible, as this will target the very small percentage of landlords whose properties are of poor quality and create scenarios where tenants are at risk of living in unacceptable conditions. However, the vast majority of landlords are responsible people and would not allow this to happen anyway.
This Bill offers a framework for the evolution of the relationship between landlords, tenants and letting agents. Hopefully, it will offer clear parameters for all parties and allow the Private Rental Sector to flourish in the long term.
