Renters' Reform Legislation Being Introduced

 
17/05/2023

RENTERS' REFORM LEGISLATION BEING INTRODUCED TO PARLIAMENT TODAY

 

Following conversations with senior officials in the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) this week, Propertymark have been informed that the Renters Reforms legislation is due to be introduced to the UK Parliament later today.

 

 

How does the parliamentary process work?

 

 

When it is introduced to Parliament, the Bill will be published in full, which is known as ‘first Reading’. It is also the first stage of a Bill's passage through Parliament. The next step is Second Reading, which is the first opportunity for MPs to debate the general principles and themes of the Bill. This is expected to take place week commencing 5 June 2023, and we will be issuing a briefing to all parliamentarians.

 

 

A Fairer Private Rented Sector

 

 

It is understood that the legislation will implement many of the measures that the UK Government included in its ‘A Fairer Private Rented Sector’ White Paper that was published in June 2022. The three main areas it focussed on were:

 

•Abolish Section 21 evictions and deliver a simpler tenancy structure with reformed grounds for possession

•A new Ombudsman covering all private landlords to improve dispute resolution

•Better compliance and robust enforcement through a new Property Portal

 

Some of the measures the UK Government want to introduce remain under review. This includes a ban on ‘No DSS’ practices and the Decent Homes Standard. Propertymark is currently participating in DLUHC’s workshops on this topic to inform the policy development. This means that additional secondary legislation will be required to introduce these areas at a later date.  

 

Dear Marcus

 

Following conversations with senior officials in the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) this week, we have been informed that the Renters Reforms legislation is due to be introduced to the UK Parliament later today.

 

 

How does the parliamentary process work?

 

 

When it is introduced to Parliament, the Bill will be published in full, which is known as ‘first Reading’. It is also the first stage of a Bill's passage through Parliament. The next step is Second Reading, which is the first opportunity for MPs to debate the general principles and themes of the Bill. This is expected to take place week commencing 5 June 2023, and we will be issuing a briefing to all parliamentarians.

 

 

A Fairer Private Rented Sector

 

 

We understand that the legislation will implement many of the measures that the UK Government included in its ‘A Fairer Private Rented Sector’ White Paper that was published in June 2022. The three main areas it focussed on were:

 

  • Abolish Section 21 evictions and deliver a simpler tenancy structure with reformed grounds for possession
  • A new Ombudsman covering all private landlords to improve dispute resolution
  • Better compliance and robust enforcement through a new Property Portal

 

Some of the measures the UK Government want to introduce remain under review. This includes a ban on ‘No DSS’ practices and the Decent Homes Standard. Propertymark is currently participating in DLUHC’s workshops on this topic to inform the policy development. This means that additional secondary legislation will be required to introduce these areas at a later date.  

 

 

How we are ensuring your voice is heard

 

 

We are campaigning to ensure the UK Government’s plans to reform the private rented sector are fit for purpose and will work in practice.   

 

So far we’ve engaged with senior officials at DLUHC, provided evidence at Minister-led roundtables and made your views clear at select committee sessions in Parliament. We have also engaged with politicians across the political divide and in 2021, we produced our own White Paper, ‘The Future of Renting’, to influence and shape the reforms going forward.

 

Once the Bill has been published, we will work tirelessly to ensure that your views are represented and that the policies within the legislation are evidence based.

 
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