NRLA and Generation Rent call for a new Renters (Reform) Bill

Despite most student landlords being pleased to see the back of the Renters (reform) Bill which would have ended fixed-term tenancies and Section 21 evictions, two organisations say the next government needs to resurrect it.

The chief executive of the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA), Ben Beadle was the first to say that politicians need to bring in a new law for the private rented sector.

He says that the shelving of the Bill was a 'huge blow' after the NRLA had worked with ministers for five years on helping to deliver it.

And Generation Rent has announced that it too wants a new Bill that would protect tenants from ‘unfair evictions’.

Not the 'perfect' Bill for landlords

Mr Beadle said: "While there's no suggestion that what was on the table was the 'perfect' Bill as far as landlords, and arguably tenants were concerned, what we had was something that we believed was fair and workable.

"It came as a huge blow, therefore, that Rishi Sunak's decision to call an election when he did, rendered it dead in the water."

He added: "It is even more frustrating when we understand that the Labour party would have supported the Renters (Reform) Bill had it been selected for 'wash-up' – the process in which outstanding parliamentary business is completed ahead of Parliament being prorogued."

NRLA dedicate itself to refining the Bill

Initially proposed by Theresa May in 2019 when she was Prime Minister, the contentious legislation saw the NRLA dedicate itself to refining the Bill with stakeholders and policymakers, aiming to balance landlord interests while fulfilling government promises to tenants.

Following its introduction, the Bill underwent extensive discussions to shape its final form.

After being presented to Parliament, it encountered a five-month delay before its second reading in the Commons due to objections from numerous MPs, before reaching the House of Lords when the election was announced.

Section 21 'no-fault' evictions

Now, Generation Rent has made clear that the shelving of the Bill has let down tenants and its chief executive, Ben Twomey, said: "Section 21 'no-fault' evictions remain a leading cause of homelessness in our country.

"Now, more than ever, private renters need a new law to end these unfair evictions and grant us the proper protections we need to keep us safe from homelessness.

"After many delays and watering-down of the Bill, the government scrapped the Renters (Reform) Bill after calling the election."

He adds: "The Bill was already not in a fit state to offer renters the vital protections that they need, yet further delays mean that renters will continue to be driven into temporary accommodation.

"It is now a matter of urgency that the next government introduce these long-overdue reforms to make renting work for the millions of private renters."

The Bill cannot be carried over

Writing on the NRLA website, Mr Beadle makes clear that the Bill cannot be carried over to the next Parliament so politicians will need to start again.

He explains: "In basic terms, this means that whoever triumphs at the polls on 4 July will need to start from scratch when it comes to developing new legislation around private rented housing.

"This, in turn, means even greater uncertainty for landlords who have already been waiting for five years for answers on how they must run their businesses going forward.

"The repercussions could be far-reaching – for landlords and tenants."

'Landlords are already considering their future'

Mr Beadle continues: "With the country already in the midst of a cost-of-living and housing crisis, latest figures show increasing numbers of landlords are already considering their future in the private rented sector.

"The fall of the Bill and, critically, the crippling uncertainty that comes with it, means it is highly likely many will decide to simply cut their losses and sell up."

He adds: "This in turn is bad news for renters looking to the sector for a home."

Mr Beadle says landlords will learn more about the potential future of the PRS once the political parties publish their manifestos.

He said: "Whatever happens, we are committed to working constructively with them to ensure proposed changes are fair and workable for landlords and tenants alike."

'Renters (Reform) Bill wasn't it'

Simon Thompson, the managing director of Accommodation for Students, said: "Whatever law the PRS needed, the Renters (Reform) Bill wasn't it.

"It wasn't about levelling up but empowering tenants to the detriment of landlords.

"Student landlords, in particular, would have been at a disadvantage with the original Bill because fixed term tenancies would have been abolished.

"But the government knew that would be an issue for the purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) sector so exempted them."

He adds: "Landlords will need to pay attention to what the political parties promise - and vote accordingly."