🏡 Renters’ Rights Update: What Every Landlord Needs to Know
The Renters’ Rights Bill is shaping up to be the most significant overhaul of landlord-tenant law in a generation. 🚨
Among the biggest proposed changes:
- ❌ No more fixed-term tenancies – all agreements will become rolling, periodic tenancies.
- 🛑 No-fault evictions will be banned.
- 🐶 New rules around pets, rent increases, and property inspections.
🏛️ What’s Happened So Far?
The government first introduced the Bill in September. Since then, it’s moved through the House of Commons, where MPs debated and amended it before sending it to the House of Lords.
👑 What Did the House of Lords Say?
The Lords made several key suggestions, including:
- 🐾 Pet Deposits: Landlords can request a pet deposit of up to three weeks’ rent.
- 🏷️ Selling & Reletting: If evicting a tenant to sell the property, landlords should be able to relet after 6 months (not 12).
- 👩🌾 Exceptions: Special provisions for properties used by carers and agricultural workers.
- 🎓 Student Tenancies: All student lets should end at the close of the academic year.
- ⚖️ Courts & Tribunals: Expansion is needed to cope with the new legal demands.
- 📋 Compliance: Clearer guidance for letting agents and proof thresholds for civil penalties.
🏢 What Changes Did the Government Make?
Ministers added some amendments of their own:
- 🐕🦺 Pet Insurance: Tenants won’t be required to take out pet insurance.
- 🕵️♀️ Inspections: Councils will be allowed to inspect rental homes without giving notice.
- 💷 Advance Rent: Rules around paying rent in advance won’t apply to existing tenancies.
- 🧾 Rent Tribunals: Tweaks to how and when rent increases take effect if challenged.
🗓️ When Will It All Become Law?
Next, the Bill returns to the House of Commons to review the Lords’ suggestions.
Given the government’s strong majority, it’s unlikely many of the Lords’ amendments will be accepted. After that, the Bill will go for Royal Assent and officially become law.
⏳ However: Parliament is now on its summer break, so no further progress will happen until September.
🔮 Latest predictions: The Bill could become law before or shortly after the Labour Party Conference on 28 September.
Nothing is set in stone yet – so watch this space.
Thanks for reading
Michael
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