The Renters’ Rights Bill returns to the House of Lords today for the first of three Report stage debates.
Further sittings of the Bill, which recently completed its Committee Stage in the House of Lords, are schedules for the 7 and 15 July, but it looks increasingly unlikely that the bill will receive Royal Assent ahead of the summer recess, which will run from 22 July to 1 September.
Consequently, the Bill will likely become law in September, with implementation expected to begin towards the end of this year or the start of 2026.
Report stage is one of the final opportunities for peers to debate and secure changes to the bill and we have been stepping up our interaction with peers to highlight what we believe are key issues with the proposed legislation.
Steven Bond, managing director of residential lettings at Beresfords, commented: “Letting agents and landlords must prepare to comply fully with the new requirements once the bill is enacted. We are advising landlords to begin reviewing their existing tenancy agreements, stay informed on the bill’s progress, and seek professional advice where necessary to ensure they remain compliant and well-prepared.
“This is one of the biggest shifts we’ve seen in the rental sector for years, and while there’s still some uncertainty, landlords who take steps now to understand and prepare for the changes will be in a far stronger when the legislation finally comes into effect.”
Calum MacInnes, chair at Student Accredited Private Rental Sector, is concerned about the potential impact the new legislation will have on the student rental sector.
MacInnes said: “The Renters’ Rights Bill is now approaching its final stages where much-needed amendments can still be made to this Bill. We have been campaigning throughout its entire legislative journey, and to this day the government is unable to provide a clear rationale for the fixed-term tenancy ban on private student housing.
“While we agree that there is much to be applauded in this Bill, it falls short when considering its impact on the student rental market. The proposed changes will only exacerbate what is a crisis in the availability and affordability of student housing, with students being the group that suffer. We are urging the government to reconsider the proposals before it’s too late.”
