The King’s Speech on 17 July 2024 included the Labour Government’s plan to progress the Renters’ Rights Bill (formerly known as the Renters (Reform) Bill) during the next parliamentary period.
Government takes summer recess from 30 July until 31 August and nothing more will be published on the Bill during this time.
We’ll keep you updated when we know more.
The King’s Speech 2024 background briefing notes outline what the Labour Government intend the Bill to do. This includes:
ABOLISHING SECTION 21 ‘NO FAULT EVICTIONS’
- Assured shorthold tenancies will not be allowed.
- A landlord will need valid grounds for possession.
- Additional grounds will be added to the existing section 8 notices to enable landlords to reclaim their properties when they meet and can prove relevant criteria.
STRENGTHENING TENANTS’ RIGHTS AND PROTECTIONS
- Enable tenants to challenge rent increases.
- Prevent landlords and agents from creating bidding wars.
CREATING A DIGITAL PRIVATE RENTED SECTOR (PRS) DATABASE
- Introduce a PRS database to ensure tenants, landlords and local authorities have access to critical information.
- Landlords to be better able to understand their responsibilities and demonstrate compliance.
- Tenants to be able to access information to make informed choices.
- Local councils to have access to better data to target enforcement where needed.
APPLY THE DECENT HOMES STANDARDS (DHS) TO THE PRIVATE RENTED SECTOR (PRS)
- Privately rented homes will need to meet the DHS to ensure renters will have safe, secure and hazard free homes.
APPLY AWAAB’S LAW TO THE PRIVATE RENTED SECTOR (PRS)
- Implement a crack down on damp and mould under new legislation in memory of Awaab Ishak.
- Set clear legal timeframes within which landlords must investigate and fix serious problems to ensure rented homes are safe.
STRENGTHEN LOCAL COUNCIL ENFORCEMENT POWERS
- New investigatory powers will be introduced to make it easier for councils to identify and fine landlords when they contravene the new rules.
CREATE A LANDLORD REDRESS SCHEME WHICH LANDLORDS MUST JOIN
- Providing fair, impartial, and binding resolution to both landlords and tenants.
- Supporting more cost effective and quicker dispute resolution.
- Reducing the reliance on using the courts.
CREATE MORE POSITIVE RENTING EXPERIENCES
To ensure no family suffers discrimination when looking for a place to live it will be illegal for landlords to refuse tenants:
- Receiving benefits.
- With children, however the property will have to be suitable for children for example, a one-bedroom flat will not be suitable for a parent with three children.
GIVE TENANTS THE RIGHT TO REQUEST A PET
- Landlords will have to consider the request and can’t unreasonably refuse. They will need a good reason for not accepting a pet for example, where the head lease doesn’t allow them or when a landlord is moving back to the property in the future and has proof of pet allergies.
- The Tenant Fee Act 2019 will be amended to enable landlords to request tenants buy pet insurance to cover any pet damage.
CHANGE TO ACCEPTABLE EPC RATINGS : Update Aug 2024
- Landlords may have to ensure any let properties reach a C energy efficient rating. Currently we believe the Government will want this by 2030.
- Background: EPC ratings - When you sell or rent you must have a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) or a valid exemption. An EPC has both information about a property’s energy use and typical energy costs and recommendations about how to reduce energy use and save money. Properties are rated from band A, the most efficient, to band G the least efficient. Assured Shorthold Tenancies must currently have an EPC of at least band E to be let out. The Government are working on plans to raise this to a band C. Taking steps to make your property more energy efficient now will pay dividends. Certificates are valid for 10 years.