Renters (Reform) Bill 2023
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| Long title | A Bill to make provision changing the law about rented homes, including provision abolishing fixed term assured tenancies and assured shorthold tenancies; imposing obligations on landlords and others in relation to rented homes and temporary and supported accommodation; and for connected purposes. |
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| Introduced by | |
Status: Not passed | |
| History of passage through Parliament | |
The Renters (Reform) Bill was a proposed Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom introduced by the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Michael Gove, on 17 May 2023. The legislation proposed to end the no-fault eviction of tenants, as well as making it easier for landlords to evict antisocial tenants.[1]
After the announcement of the 2024 general election, the bill was axed during the parliamentary wash-up period.[2]
Overview of Bill Measures
[edit]- Abolish 'no fault' evictions under section 21, shifting to a simplified tenancy structure for increased tenant security and empowerment.
- Expand possession grounds for landlords, allowing property recovery in various situations, including property sale or relocation of close family, and facilitating repossession in cases of tenant fault.
- Strengthen protections against backdoor eviction, enabling tenants to appeal excessive rents designed to force eviction, with an independent tribunal determining market rent.
- Establish a Private Rented Sector Ombudsman for fair and efficient issue resolution, offering an alternative to the court system.
- Introduce a Privately Rented Property Portal to inform landlords about legal obligations, boost compliance, and provide tenants with information for informed decisions.
- Grant tenants the right to request a pet, making landlords consider requests and allowing them to require pet insurance for property damage coverage.
Why the bill took so long to come before Parliament?
[edit]This specific project was in the governments papers for years. Always delayed due to related projects such as the digitisation of the UK court system [4]. But also due to the controversial aspect of it. This bills being seen as divisive amongst the two chambers of Parliament.
With the announcement of the 2024 general election, renters knew the reform will not make it the wash up. This may be why the Labour party decided to include a Renters Rights reform as announced during the 2024 King's Speech [5] delivered in front of the House of Lords on July 17th 2024.
References
[edit]- ^ Forsyth, Alex; Nevett, Joshua; Partridge, Alex (17 May 2023). "No-fault evictions to be banned in reform of rental sector". BBC News. BBC. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
- ^ Farley, Harry (24 May 2024). "No-fault renters evictions bill runs out of time". BBC News. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
- ^ "Guide to the Renters (Reform) Bill". GOV.UK. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
- ^ "digitisation of the UK court system". cozee.properties. Retrieved 12 February 2024.digitisation of the UK court system
- ^ "2024 King's Speech". gov.uk.2024 King's Speech