I’m sure you are all too aware of the pending Renters Reform Bill which has begun its process through Parliament. Its fair to say that Labours Rents rights Bill bares a striking resemblance to the Conservatives Renter Rights Bill but there are a few variances of note:
There seems to be a lot of similarity to the Renters Rights Bill the last Gov were working on, but a few changes of note:
- Evictions – rent arrears: increase of the mandatory threshold for eviction from two to three months’ arrears and increase the notice period from two weeks to four.
- Eviction – Landlord selling or moving in: Landlords will be able to end a tenancy if they need to sell a property or move into it themselves. Tenants will benefit from a 12-month protected period at the beginning of a tenancy, and Landlords will need to provide 4 months’ notice.
- Restrictions to possessions: To support compliance with requirements introduced elsewhere by the bill, we will prevent landlords gaining possession if they have not properly protected a tenant’s deposit or registered their property on the private rented sector database. We will ensure landlords are always able to rectify non-compliance, so they are not prevented from regaining possession indefinitely. These restrictions will not apply to antisocial behaviour grounds.
This is particularly welcome news as at present so many landlord are unable to use a Section 21 notice to gain possession due to none compliance and find themselves without the flexibility to use their property as they need to.
There’s also a bit more detail on how the student tenancies will differ and allow landlords to gain possession to allow the flow through of new students in line with academic year.
There’s no exact timescales announced at this time but it is general felt that we will start to see changes to legislation next summer. It is likely they will start with ending te section 21 and new periodic tenancies to be introduced and this will apply to both new and existing tenancies at the same time.
There’s a good summary of the Bill that’s been tabled for first reading at Guide to the Renters’ Rights Bill - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) to stay informed sign up to our bi monthly e bulletin at privaterentedservice@newcastle.gov.uk