Renters Rights Bill to become law as it heads for Royal Assent

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The Renter’s Rights Bill passed to its Royal Assent stage today, the final journey of the legislation before the wide-ranging Act becomes law.  

The House of Commons completed formal consideration of a range of Lords amendments to the Bill, which aims to end bidding wars by landlords and agents, scrap fixed-term tenancies and ban Section 21 no-fault possessions.  

The Bill, first introduced in September last year, also applies the Decent Homes Standard to the private rented sector for the first time, affecting around 11 million renters and 2.8 million landlords. 

The move comes as average UK rents rose by 5.5% to £1,354 in the year to September, official figures showed today, while inflation held at 3.8% for the third month in a row over the same period.

Propertymark chief executive Nathan Emerson says: “The conclusion of today’s debate marks another clear step forward for the Renters’ Rights legislation and brings us closer to the most significant reform of the private rented sector in England in decades.

“While there are still important details to be finalised, it’s now beyond doubt that major change is coming. Letting agents and landlords must begin preparing now. 

“Delaying action risks being left behind when the legislation takes effect. Propertymark continues to call for clear guidance, realistic timelines, and workable solutions that recognise the operational realities of agents and landlords alike.” 

Proposals to end no-fault evictions, among other tenant reforms, were first set out in the Conservative’s 2019 General Election manifesto. 

This led to the Conservative’s Renters (Reform) Bill introduced in 2023, but which ran out of time by the July 2024 national election. 

Goodlord chief executive William Reeve says: “After too many false starts to count, the deed is done. Three and a half years after it was first mentioned in a Queen’s Speech, this seminal piece of legislation is now finally winging its way onto the statute books.  

“Today’s Commons appearance was mainly a formality after the Lords’ debate last week settled most of the outstanding issues.  

“The Bill will now receive Royal Assent and the government will announce its plans for implementation in the coming weeks.” 

UK Finance director of mortgages Charles Roe adds: “The Renters’ Rights Bill is a positive step for tenants and the housing market. The scale of the reforms means the pace of implementation is critical.  

“Lenders, landlords, tenants, and agents will need sufficient time to adjust systems and processes, so that the Bill delivers its intended benefits smoothly and without disruption.” 


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