_King’s Speech July 2024: What does the Renter’s Rights Bill mean to the private rented sector?
A new era for renters?
Since the results of the election, we have been waiting to find out what Labour’s plans are for the Private Rented Sector (PRS).
During the King’s Speech on 17 July 2024, it was stated that “Legislation will be introduced to give greater rights and protections to people renting their homes, including ending no-fault evictions and reforming grounds for possession”.
Key features of the Renters' Rights Bill
Further detail was provided within the King’s Speech 2024: background briefing notes which, on page 69, outline the Government’s Renters’ Rights Bill and show what they intend the Bill to do. This includes:
- Abolishing Section 21
- Giving tenants the power to challenge rent increases
- Stopping agents and landlords from encouraging bidding wars
- Giving renters the right to request a pet
- Applying the Decent Homes Standard to the PRS
- Applying Awaab’s law to the PRS
- Making it illegal for landlords to discriminate against those receiving benefits
- Making it illegal for landlords to discriminate against those with children
- Supporting quicker and cheaper dispute resolution by introducing a new ombudsman for landlords and tenants
- Creating a digital PRS database to bring together key information for landlords, tenants and councils
- Strengthening local authority’s enforcement powers to help identify rogue landlords
All of this sounds a lot like the Renters (Reform) Bill, but just with a different title and some adjustments.
The next steps are that we will await a draft bill which will need to be issued for consultation before being formally introduced to Parliament.
How can we support you?
As your Partners in Property, we will continue to keep you updated as this progresses and are available if you have any questions.