Published by: Church & Hawes
RENTERS RIGHTS BILL UPDATE!!The latest update regarding the Lords reporting stage of the Renters Rights Bill!!
There were three days allocated by the House of Lords to debate this, these being, 1st July, 7th July & 15th July with final reading on the 21st July.
The government has shelved plans to allow landlords in England to require their tenants to take out special insurance if they own pets but Labour ministers have now ditched the idea, arguing that appropriate insurance products may not become widely available quickly enough.
The change was confirmed on Mon 7th July, the government amending its own legislation in the House of Lords. This prompted Tory peers to back a plan to make tenants pay an extra 'pet deposit' instead - setting up a fresh battle when the bill returns to the Commons. However, the three- week pet deposit idea is almost certain to be overturned when MPs vote on the Lords amendment when they return from recess, given the Labour government's huge majority in the House of Commons.
The re-let restriction after sale grounds was reduced from 12 to 6 months, helping landlords avoid long void periods, although they must still prove fair marketing and that no suitable offers were refused (Although this could revert back 12 months).
There have, however, been concerns about how the new legislation will be implemented and the capacity of the courts system to deal with the potential spike in cases following the proposed abolition of Section 21 evictions. The Government has refused to release an impact study of the Renters Rights Bill on the court system, citing a need for safe space whilst policy is being discussed.
The above is the House of Lords reporting stage (not law yet) and Parliament, will make the final decisions.
The Renters Rights Bill will now not pass into law before the summer recess, with confirmation that it has been delayed until late summer/early autumn, parliament returns 1st September. Leader of the House of Commons Lucy Powell had not allocated any parliamentary time for the Bill to be debated, meaning MPs have now left for summer recess on 23 July without addressing it. Royal Assent (When Bill becomes an Act of Parliament) is likely to happen in September 2025 and most likely before the Labour party conference. This makes the commencment date of Autumn 2025 less likely and Winter 25/Spring 2026 more likely but we will have to wait and see as nobody knows. (There is expected to be a transition period, but again we are in the dark on this)
There is more information available online and please also refer to our previous update of 26/6/25.
Please note that all Landlords should make themselves aware of the impending legislation changes, as these may affect how Landlords move forward with their portfolio. Especially if a Landlord is preparing to sell their property soon.
Below is a list of the changes that Church & Hawes consider most likely, although this is not a complete list.
1. Abolition of Section 21.
2. New time constraints regarding notice periods.
3. Agreement to Pets.
4. No more advanced payments of more than one month.
5. Landlords Database (We believe this is unlikely to come in immediately)
There is unlikely to be any update in August due to the Governments summer recess. We will of course advise of further updates once we know more.
Many Thanks
Church & Hawes