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The Renters' Rights Bill

The new government has introduced a Renters' Rights Bill to transform private renting. This is an opportunity for a fresh start to delivering the reforms that renters desperately need.

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Why we need reforms that put renters first

Our current system for private renting is not working and renters have been crying out for change for years. We need to rebalance the rights and responsibilities of landlords and tenants. Only then will private renters no longer have to put up with:

  • record levels of evictions

  • rising rent rates

  • demands to pay several months' rent in advance at the start of their contract

  • discrimination because of having a family or a low income

  • living in homes with some of the lowest standards

  • negative effects on their physical and mental health, as well as on relationships, education and financial security

The new Renters' Rights Bill is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to fix these problems and give renters the security and rights they deserve.

The previous government promised to fix renting

The Renters (Reform) Bill was meant to transform renting. However, after attempts to water down reforms and delay their introduction, MPs did not prioritise passing the bill before the general election. This means that renters are still waiting for change.

Until real improvements for renters come, their only choice will be to face the same unstable, unsuitable, and expensive conditions with little power to challenge irresponsible landlords. But renters will not give up. We’ve been campaigning for change for years, and we’re more determined than ever to get it.

That's why we are now calling on the new government to fix renting for good.

What does the new government now need to do?

The new government must use their Renters' Rights Bill to fix renting properly. They must end all unfair evictions once and for all, and make renting safe, secure and more affordable.

This means:

  • bringing in rent stabilisation to limit rent increases in tenancies because, for many, a rent hike is as good as an eviction – and making sure housing benefit keeps pace with the cost of renting

  • delivering real security by scrapping section 21 'no fault' evictions urgently and making sure the new system is fair, stable, and free from loopholes

  • enforcing a crackdown on landlords who fail to meet standards by creating a national landlord register and funding local authorities so that they have the staff, resources, and powers to uphold tenants’ rights

  • ending discrimination in renting by outlawing direct discrimination against marginalised renters and tackling invisible barriers, like extortionate rent in advance or exclusionary guarantor requests

  • supporting renters to challenge bad practices by increasing the availability of free legal advice and support through legal aid

A short history of reforming the private renting system

The previous government's Renters (Reform) Bill failed to pass through all the necessary stages and be made into law before parliament closed ahead of the general election. So, it will be up to the current government to reform private renting through their new Renters' Rights Bill.

2024

October

  • The 'committee stage' for the bill concludes
    A cross-party group of 17 MPs formed the bill committee. Their role was to read through the legislation line by line, and debate any changes which could be made ahead of the next phase - 'report stage'.

  • MPs debated the Renters' Rights Bill in parliament during its 'second reading'
    A total of 424 MPs voted for the bill to continue to the next stage of legislation, while 104 MPs voted against it.

September

  • The new government introduced the Renters’ Rights Bill into parliament
    The introduction of the new bill started the process of reforming the private rented sector and strengthening renters' rights. This stage is called the 'first reading'.

July

  • The new government promised a Renters’ Rights Bill in its first King’s Speech
    The proposed new bill aimed to 'transform the renting experience' by scrapping section 21 'no fault' evictions and cracking down on landlords who discriminate against, and exploit, tenants.

  • Labour won the general election and Sir Keir Starmer became our new prime minister
    The Labour manifesto promised to scrap section 21 'no fault' evictions immediately and to take 'fast action to make renters better off'.

May

  • A general election was announced and parliament entered a 'wash-up period', but the Renters (Reform) Bill didn’t make the cut
    Several other bills were selected to be rushed through on the final day before the closing of parliament in a process known as 'wash up'. At this point, the Renters (Reform) Bill was dropped, meaning it was not passed into law.

  • Peers debated the bill at its 'second reading'
    Members of the House of Lords debated the main principles of the bill. More debates were planned in the House of Lords before the election was called.

April

  • We withdrew support for the bill as it entered its final stages in the House of Commons
    The Renters Reform Coalition, which we are a member of, publicly declared that this bill would be a failure if passed in its current form. The bill passed its third reading in the House of Commons in an unacceptable state and was sent to the House of Lords.

2023

November

  • The bill was scrutinised in more depth at the 'committee stage'
    A smaller group of MPs were selected to form the bill committee. They spent two weeks doing a line-by-line examination of the bill’s clauses. Minister Jacob Young took over responsibility for the Renters (Reform) Bill following the prime minister’s November reshuffle.

October

  • MPs debated the bill at 'second reading'
    In this stage, MPs from across all political parties gathered to debate the main principles of the bill.

May

  • The government introduced the Renters (Reform) Bill to parliament
    After a long wait, the Renters (Reform) Bill's passage through parliament finally began in the House of Commons. This stage is called the 'first reading'.

2022

June

  • The government published 'A Fairer Private Rented Sector' white paper
    In this, it set out the details of its plans for the Renters (Reform) Bill and promised to bring it forward.

2019

December

  • The Conservative government are elected, promising a 'better deal for renters'
    The party’s manifesto committed to abolishing section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions and promised wider reforms to the rental system.

Frequently asked questions

How will scrapping section 21 reform renting?

Scrapping section 21 'no fault' evictions will relieve renters from the constant fear of eviction so they can freely exercise their renting rights. Right now, they're putting up with anything from negligence to dangerous living conditions, afraid to complain to their landlord in case they are evicted.
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Why is a landlord register important?

A landlord register will mean that people can enter into a tenancy agreement knowing who they will be paying rent to and who they're trusting to follow the law. They will also know if their landlord's properties meet all the legal requirements they need to.
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What will the Renters' Rights Bill mean for landlords?

The bill will rebalance the rights and responsibilities of renters and landlords. In doing so, it will drive up standards and everyone will know what's expected of them. As part of the bill, landlords will still be able to regain possession of their home – they'll just have to provide a legitimate reason for doing so.

More ways to take action

Updates, insights and impact

Hear the latest from housing experts and guest writers about the impact of the housing emergency.

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