Queen's Speech December 2019: Renters' Reform Bill
Carly Jermyn • January 3, 2020
The Government has announced the Renter's Reform Bill
The Renters’ Reform Bill seeks to introduce reforms designed to make the rental market fairer and more effective, improving power and security for tenants whilst balancing the need for landlords to gain possession of their property when they have a valid reason to do so.
There is nothing surprising in the Bill, which includes as expected:
- the controversial scrapping of so called ‘no fault’ evictions by removing section 21 of the Housing Act 1988 and reforming the grounds for possession;
- giving landlords more rights to gain possession of their property through the courts where there is a legitimate need for them to do so, by reforming existing legislation;
- improving the court process for landlords, with the aim of making it quicker and easier to get possession sooner;
- new lifetime deposits, avoiding the need for tenants to save for a new deposit every time they move;
- continued development of the database of rogue landlords and property agents, empowering tenants to make an informed choice about who they rent from; and
- greater powers to drive improvements in standards.
The key will be in the drafting of legislation and in the success of the court reforms, which is greatly needed. If the court reforms aren't up to scratch and the legislation is poorly drafted, removing section 21 from the Housing Act 1988 could be a disaster for the private rental sector. But, given the complications with section 21 and the pace that an accelerated possession claim now proceeds through the courts, if done properly, it could be a positive move.
Watch this space....
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