The UK government plans to strengthen regulation in the rental market through the "Renters Reform Bill," which is set for a second reading next week. The bill aims to protect tenants' rights and address issues currently faced by the rental market.
According to reports, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has agreed for the bill to progress in Parliament, with Members of Parliament set to debate it on October 23rd. The bill underwent the first reading in May and is now scheduled for its second reading.
Despite facing opposition and obstruction from several MPs, Housing Secretary Michael Gove has secured support for the legislation to continue to progress amid internal struggles.
The bill proposes various positive changes, including the abolishment of Section 21 eviction provisions and limits on rent increases during tenancy. It also grants tenants more rights, such as the power to deem a rental property unsafe and demand that landlords make repairs or scrap the property. Additionally, the bill will strengthen the regulation on the safety of rental properties.
However, the uncertainty regarding the continued implementation of the bill remains. Issues within the court system must be addressed as the bill passes through Parliament. The unreformed court system could potentially undermine the government's plans for reforming the industry, a concern highlighted by the cross-party Housing, Communities, and Local Government Committee.
Ben Beadle, Chief Executive of the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA), stated that the uncertainty surrounding the bill's continued implementation makes it difficult for landlords and tenants to plan for the future. If the bill fails to gain the trust of landlords, the housing shortage issue will only worsen, ultimately harming the interests of renters.
Polly Neate, Chief Executive of the campaigning charity Shelter, pointed out that a significant number of people are unjustifiably evicted every day with only two months to find new accommodation. Unnecessary delays and obstructions in making renting safer and fairer are unacceptable. A robust "Renters Reform Bill" could potentially address the ongoing threat of no-fault evictions, reduce homelessness, and hold landlords of unsafe rental properties accountable.
Therefore, as the bill progresses through Parliament, the government must prioritize addressing issues within the court system to ensure the smooth implementation of the bill and gain the trust of landlords and tenants. Only through the collaborative efforts of the government and relevant bodies like the National Residential Landlords Association can the UK rental market provide services that are safer and fairer for tenants.