Following our news item back in September 2024, regarding the above bill – what has happened since then?

In October 2024 the Bill went into Committee Stage, however was not included in the agenda for further reading before Parliament broke for the Christmas break. It is now expected that the Renter’s Rights Bill will be back in Parliament on 14th January 2025 for report stage.

In Report Stage members of parliament are given the opportunity to look at new clauses and amendments to the original proposed bill, agreeing on these, before moving forward to the 3rd reading in the House of Commons. This is the final stage before moving to the House of Lords for readings following the same process as the House of Commons. Once both houses have reached an agreement as to the details of the bill, it can then move forward for Royal Assent, before then becoming law.

As a recap, the proposed changes to the private rental sector include;

1. A ban on Assured Shorthold Tenancies and Section 21 Notices (those being the no fault eviction notices).

2. The grounds for landlord’s possession of a rental property will be amended and extended and landlords must establish a ground for possession in the legislation if they wish to regain possession of their property.

3. Minimum notice periods extended for both landlords and tenants.

4. More stringent notices and procedures for rent increases in a tenant.

5. A ban on discriminating tenants based on benefits, children and pets.

6. A ban on bidding on rents with a landlord no longer permitted to accept offers higher than the advertised rent.

7. A private rented sector mandatory database.

8. Mandatory requirements for individual landlords to be members of an approved redress scheme.

10. Tougher penalties to be imposed on landlords for non-compliance with the legislation.

This bill is certainly going to alter the residential letting market for both landlords and tenants moving into the future. At the moment there is still no timescale as to when the bill will become law. However, it is widely recognised that the Government wish to push forward quickly and as such it is expected to become law by Summer 2025, if not earlier.

At Butler Sherborn we are following the passage through parliament and will update our news feed with any advances in the future.