Indefinite delays to the Renters Reform Bill

Renters Reform Bill – The Government has announced an indefinite delay in implementing the ban on ‘no-fault’ evictions in England, citing the need for reforms in the court system beforehand.

The opposition has accused Government of shelving the long-delayed proposals to the Renters Reform Bill, claiming that implementing legal reforms would require several years.

Since 2019, ministers have pledged to put an end to landlords’ ability to evict tenants without cause. Housing Secretary Michael Gove emphasised the necessity of court updates before proceeding with this change.

The Renters Reform Bill, initially promised in the Tories’ 2019 election manifesto, was discussed in the Commons in full last month. This proposed legislation, aiming to prohibit no-fault evictions, was first introduced in May 2022.

Mr Gove informed Conservative MPs that enforcing the ban hinges on making improvements to the court system, which many landlords utilise to regain possession of their properties under the current ‘section 21’ notice clause.

The proposed change, was that all tenancies become ‘rolling’ contracts with no fixed end date, therefore, abolishing assured shorthold tenancies altogether.   

Currently, there is no specific timeline provided by Downing Street regarding the duration required to accomplish the court reforms.

Read more: https://howkinsandharrison.co.uk/lettings/changes-to-section-21-notices/