With the Renters’ Rights Bill back in the House of Lords this month, Ben Beadle, Chief Executive of Goodlord partner the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA), explains how to make sure you’re prepared – and how the timetable for change will be crucial to its success.
The Renters’ Rights Bill, set to bring about the most significant changes to the private rented sector in decades, is nearing the end of its journey through Parliament.
But the passage of the Bill into law will be just the start, with all eyes now on the Government’s timetable for change – and how that will impact you and your business.
More than a year after it was first announced, the Renters’ Rights Bill is currently going through final scrutiny, a process known as ‘ping-pong’, where the Bill bounces between the Commons and Lords, as MPs and Peers cross the ‘i’s and cross the ‘t’s when it comes to the finer detail.
The next Lords date is October 14th, after which the Bill could be sent back to the Commons or be sent for Royal Assent – at which point it becomes law and is enacted as an Act of Parliament.
Crucially, while the Bill will move into law on being granted Royal Assent, it doesn’t mean that all its provisions come into force immediately, and its success, or otherwise, will depend on the Government’s approach from there.
We have been told to expect some kind of transition period between the Act coming into being and the date on which we, as landlords and agents, will need to comply with the new rules, but, somewhat frustratingly, Ministers have remained tight-lipped about exactly how long this period will be.
This has left the housing sector in limbo, on the one hand knowing widespread changes is on the horizon, on the other, in the dark as to when it will happen.
For landlords to have the best chances of transitioning smoothly to the new arrangements, it is vital that we are given sufficient time to adjust.
As a result, we are now calling on the Government to announce its implementation timeline as soon as possible and want to see a minimum six-month lead-in period between Royal Assent and the measures within the new Act coming into force.
Equally, we have made it clear in our extensive engagement with the Government that any announcements must be accompanied by a targeted and effective information campaign, so that landlords, letting agents, and tenants are crystal clear about their new rights and responsibilities – and when these will take effect.
We know that not only will there be a lead-in period, but implementation will take place in a series of stages, with some elements, such as the abolition of fixed-term tenancies and Section 21 repossessions, introduced sooner than others.
Other parts of the Act, such as the new Decent Homes Standard for the private rented sector and the new private rented sector database, are likely to come later in the process.
Talking on one of our exclusive member webinars last month, Guy Horsington, Deputy Director of the Private Rented Sector at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, confirmed decision-makers will ‘factor in’ the amount of time they believe the sector will need in order to adjust to the new rules.
However, he also revealed that the final decision on transition arrangements and timelines will only be made after the Bill receives Royal Assent.
In short, yes, lots of things. A great place to start is our invaluable Renters’ Rights checklist, created by our policy team.
This includes advice on:
We’ve also updated our tenancy agreements, so that you and your tenants have clarity around the terms of your agreement in line with the new rules. You can read more about the changes here.
All this will help make sure that, when change does come, you – and your tenants – are prepared.
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