The Renters’ Rights Bill returned to Parliament on 14 January 2025 for further discussions, with the Bill one step closer to becoming law. The report stage and third reading under the House of Commons have now completed with the first reading of the Bill taking place in the House of Lords on 15 January 2025. The second reading which will be a general debate on all aspects of the Bill is scheduled to take place on 4 February 2025.
This update is prepared to give you a brief overview of the further changes to be implemented to the current position in the rental sector and the outcome of the discussions that took place on 14 January 2025.
Further new amendments to strengthen tenant rights and protections in the Bill include:
- A new rule to protect students who are looking for rental accommodation during term time from feeling pressured to a tenancy so early into their academic year. Students will no longer be locked into a tenancy more than six months in advance of moving in. This will be a huge change in the private rental sector for students which covers a vast majority of the demand for accommodation across the country annually.
- Closing potential loopholes in rent repayment orders and ensuring superior landlords would be liable for these if an offence has been committed even if the rent was not paid directly to them, but through an agent or intermediate landlord.
- Extending the Decent Homes Standard and Awaab’s Law to the private rental sector for the first time, empowering tenants to challenge their landlord over poor conditions including dangerous damp and mould in their homes.
Overall, the Bill will be in place to regulate the private rental sector properly to ensure tenants are not at jeopardy of losing their homes without any fault and equally, providing landlord with a clearer legal framework and improved rent collection procedures.
If you wish to discuss any of the above then please get in touch below with our Dispute Resolution Team or call us on 01702 338338.
