Sean Hooker: Plans for reform in the rental sector must come to light soon

The banner “Coming Soon” for the blockbuster production of the Renters' Reform Bill is now well worn. We entered the merry month of May with the lesser spotted Renters' Reform Bill very near to publication- yet reports now suggest that it may be delayed once again! 

All subject to change

From my communications with the civil servants (no spoilers), they are hopeful that the “heavy lifting” has been done.

With the white paper, the subsequent roundtables and other consultations, the passage of the bill should be straightforward and not contentious.

However, we've heard that all before. Even as recent as mid-April, meetings with stakeholders were still ongoing, with leading industry figures expressing concern.

So, what the final director’s cut of the blockbuster will look like is still to be determined and, of course, that's before MP’s get their hands on it.

A bill light on details?

What we also can also strongly surmise is that a good part of the proposals will not be fully fledged.

They could be light on details in the actual bill, with enabling powers granted to the government to work on the changes further and introduce them later through secondary legislation.

There is even a suggestion that “helpful” amendments will be introduced during the legislative process, giving the department more time to firm up the proposals and put more flesh on the bone.

By hook or by crook they may well get an act on the statute books by close of play on the eve of the newly crowned King’s Speech later this year - but it will not be the end of the story, with sequels and spinoffs very much in the offing.

Involving the sector to define the way forwards

All of this means this is all still very much up for grabs and the sector will still have a chance to help steer the process.

It was pleasing to see that Goodlord released a substantial piece of research based on a detailed poll and survey of the sector. The paper, Renting Done Right, also proposed a manifesto with a ten-point action plan.

I highly commend the report and the conclusions and data are very similar to the major survey we at the Property Redress Scheme did as part of our Annual Report this year.

Of course, when it comes to an agenda for change, we as an approved government scheme can only contribute to the body of evidence in support of meaning full change and cannot lobby on behalf of any particular group or organisation. 

However, the Goodlord suggestions for change and the emphasis on support, consistency, and incentives, appear preeminently sensible and workable. The government would be well advised to take heed and incorporate a good deal of the proposals and ideas into the law.  

That's a wrap

So, not much more to say at the moment, other than to point out that, as soon as the legislation is laid before Parliament, I will be all over it like a rash, trying to work out what it will mean for our sector and how it will need to be planned for and implemented.

The changes will not happen overnight and, remember that the publication of the bill is not the film premiere. It is simply a "wrap”. Even then, we're still just dealing with a working title, with plenty of cuts, edits, and pickup shots to come before the final cut, not to mention any twists or stingers popping up as the credits roll.

We just need the greenlight for the final production and for the government to realise that, as American President Teddy Roosevelt wisely exclaimed:

“Knowing what’s right, doesn’t mean much unless you do what’s right."