The House of Lords is currently considering a series of amendments to the controversial Renters’ Rights Bill.
The legislation, which bans ‘no-fault’ evictions and fixed term tenancies, is going through Parliament and this week reached the House of Lords Committee stage.
A series of amendments have been tabled to be discussed including allow fixed term tenancies of up to 12 months and letting small landlords, who are less likely to have capacity to fund legal proceedings, to continue to be able to issue Section 21 notices.
Commenting the Bill, Allison Thompson, national lettings managing director at Leaders Romans Group (LRG), said: “The amendments proposed in the House of Lords mark a significant and positive step forward for the Renters (Rights) Bill. After much industry concern and sustained lobbying—particularly from our partners at the NRLA—this is fantastic news.
“It is crucial that these amendments are properly considered to ensure the Bill strikes the right balance between tenant protections and the continued viability of the private rented sector. Retaining fixed-term tenancies, rent increases to be index- linked, ensuring student lets remain workable, and delaying the removal of Section 21 until court capacity is reviewed are all thoughtful and much-needed suggestions.
“We welcome the commitment to assessing judicial capacity, as well as the recognition that small landlords—who make up a substantial portion of the sector—need a fair system that allows them to manage their properties effectively.
“Now, it’s vital that these amendments are given the attention they deserve. A well-functioning rental market relies on fairness for both tenants and landlords, and these proposed changes help move us towards a more balanced and workable framework.”
This article is taken from Landlord Today