Bill puts Rights of tenants front and centre

The Renters Rights Bill is progressing at speed through parliament, having recently passed its second reading in the House of Commons earlier this month (Oct 9).

The Bill was picked-up from the previous government when reintroduced to parliament in September by the current government which amended the name replacing Reform with “Rights.”

“What does this mean? Balfours letting manager, Paula Wells MARLA, explains: “The Bill now moves to committee stage and could well become legislation in Spring to early Summer 2025, therefore it certainly isn’t too early to prepare.

“Once the Bill becomes law, and with a significant parliamentary majority it is unlikely to hit too many hurdles, then all landlords, regardless of using a professional agent, will have to join a new Ombudsman service, set to provide complaint resolution services for tenants. Landlord registration schemes are already compulsory in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, so this is hardly surprising,” Paula observes.

Ensuring you have a highly competent agent is key, not only to accepting the right tenant, but also to ensuring that your property is compliant with a raft of legislation within the Renters Right Bill.

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner says the government is seeking to ensure that all tenants can live “in a decent, safe and affordable home.” For most landlords that won’t be an issue. This will include abolishing Section 21 no-fault evictions and the removal of “Fixed-term” assured tenancies, instead allowing tenants to sever a tenancy with two months’ notice – at any time after taking the tenancy. The tenant will have a 12-month protected period from the beginning of the tenancy.

Labour’s plans are to upgrade private rental properties to an EPC band C, however there was reassurance on the second reading that such a change will not be enforced in the early life of the legislation. “It is a prompt for landlords to continually consider the energy efficiency of their properties.”

Paula adds: “I have only scratched the surface with a few highlights and the legislation is coming with its own policing, therefore not only compliance, but audit trail will be paramount too.  There is a lot for agencies to take on board who live and breathe lettings, increasingly landlords will require professional support.” If you would like to discuss property you aim to let, do call 01743 277069.