The Renter’s Reform Bill - An Overview

The Queen’s Speech last month confirmed some quite significant plans to further change the housing sector. These reforms affecting England, were announced on the 19th December, further cementing the Government’s intention to herald a new style housing sector.

The key elements of the Bill aim to restore a balance and fairness between landlords and tenants.

Heading our way is the abolition of the Section 21 notice (Form 6A). This is a drastic change to a process which has been present in the housing sector for over over twenty years, however, removing this notice will require changes to the court process, moving away from what we are so used to calling “Accelerated Possession” therefore requiring changes to be made to the Section 8 Notice and of course, the court system.

The introduction of the new “Life-time” deposit which will follow the tenant from property to property, this reducing the pressure to save for another deposit when they move. What exactly this will look like and how it will work, it yet to be decided.

Further comments have been made in relation to the “Rogue Landlords & Letting Agents” list currently only available to Local Authorities, potentially to be made available to the public.

Lastly, the Regulation of Property Agents (ROPA), which announced in the report published in July 2019.
For further information - https://www.parliament.uk