The government has delayed its long-awaited Renters’ Reform Bill, raising fears from the opposition that the draft legislation could be diluted.
It blamed the hold-up on “procedural issues” after Housing Secretary Michael Gove promised last week that the Bill would begin life a few days after the King’s coronation. A Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities spokesman told The Mirror: “We are absolutely committed to delivering a fairer deal for renters.”
Fuel doubts
Labour’s Shadow Housing Secretary Lisa Nandy warned the further delay would fuel doubts that ministers will deliver fully on their promises to the UK’s private renters. She said: “This government has already abandoned first-time buyers by caving in on housing targets. My message to ministers on rent reform is clear – do not backtrack on the promises you have made, do not drop any commitments, do not roll over to your backbenchers again.”
Labour has promised to bring in its own renter reform charter to beef up rights if it gets into power.
Four years
When the Renters’ Reform Bill is finally published it will be four years since the government first announced its proposals on ‘a new deal for renting: resetting the balance of rights and responsibilities between landlords and tenants’ back in 2019.
Oli Sherlock, director of insurance at Goodlord, says the delay is really disappointing. “This Bill has been kicked along the road too many times to count and further delays are feeding uncertainty in a private rented sector that desperately needs stability and a long-term vision. We hope this delay in publishing means within the next week – rather than months.”
The DLUHC spokesman added: “We will bring forward legislation very shortly, which will include a ban on ‘no fault’ evictions, so that all tenants have greater security in their homes and are empowered to challenge poor conditions. We are also introducing a Decent Homes Standard for the Private Rented Sector for the first time ever which will make sure privately rented homes are safe and decent.”
