The Renters' Rights Bill returns to Parliament today and will be
debated for the first time by MPs as greater security and
protections for millions of renters comes a step closer.
The Second Reading comes less than a month since the Bill was
first introduced and within the first 100 days in office,
signalling the government's determination to get this in the
statute book as soon as possible.
The Bill delivers on the government's manifesto commitment to
overhaul the experience of renters, banning Section 21 ‘no fault'
evictions across new and existing tenancies at the same time,
immediately tackling one of the leading causes of homelessness.
This will give 11 million private renters immediate security and
assurance so they can stay in their homes for longer and build
lives in their communities.
It will also clamp down on unfair rent increases and extend the
Decent Homes Standard and Awaab's Law to the private sector for
the first time, significantly reducing the number of poor-quality
privately rented homes and empowering tenants to raise concerns
about damp, dangerous and cold
homes.
The Deputy Prime Minister said:
“I am determined to get this Bill in to law as soon as possible.
The thousands of children and families living in unsafe housing
or under the cruel threat of a Section 21 eviction notice have
been waiting far too long already.
“We will deliver on our promise to renters and transform the
sector into one where families can put down roots, where children
can grow up in healthy homes, and where young people can save for
their future.”
The Deputy Prime Minister will give a speech in the Commons
today, highlighting key parts of the Bill, including:
- Tenants will be in a stronger position to challenge
unreasonable rent increases supported by a Tribunal and landlords
will only be allowed to raise the rent once a year and only to
the market rate, which will put an end unfair hikes.
- Tenants will get a quicker resolution over disputes, cutting
down on the need to go though the courts through a new Ombudsman
service.
- Local councils will be given stronger powers to crack down on
unscrupulous landlords. Maximum fines will be increased to
up to £40,000 for serious offenders.
- A new database for landlords to share important information
on their property standards, showing their compliance with the
law and helping councils drive out the minority of criminal
landlords.
- Tenants will be able request to have a pet and landlords will
not be able to unreasonably refuse. Unfair decisions can be
challenged so renters will not have to make a difficult choice
between a beloved pet or a home.
Overhauling the private rented sector is just one part of the
government's ambitious plans made within their first 100 days in
office to tackle the housing crisis.
Work is already underway to reform the broken planning system to
get Britain building again and deliver 1.5 million homes over
this parliament, a crucial part of the government's mission
to boost economic growth.
