Reforming the private rented sector

The legislation will implement many of the measures that the UK Government included in its ‘A Fairer Private Rented Sector’ White Paper that was published in June 2022.

VIEW THE POLICY PAPER

A fairer private rented sector
gov.uk

The objective of the Bill is to ensure renters have access to a secure and decent home and that landlords retain the confidence to repossess their properties where they need to. The Bill will:

• Abolish section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions and reform tenancy agreements where all assured tenancies are periodic.
• Introduce more possession grounds where tenants are at fault, for example in cases of anti-social behaviour and repeat rent arrears.
• Provide stronger protections against retaliatory evictions.
• Introduce a new Ombudsman that all private landlords must join.
• Introduce a new Property Portal including a database of residential landlords and privately rented properties in England.
• Give tenants the right to request a pet in their property, which the landlord must consider and cannot unreasonably refuse.

Further measures the UK Government will legislate for include:

• Apply the Decent Homes Standard to the private rented sector.
• Make it illegal for landlords and agents to have blanket bans on renting to tenant in receipt of benefits or with children.
• Strengthen local council’s enforcement powers and introduce a new requirement for councils to report on enforcement activity.

RENTERS (REFORM) BILL

Reforms to the private rented sector in England have been long awaited and the Bill will bring much needed clarity to letting agents and their landlords and tenants. Propertymark will support the UK Government to ensure the specific details and policies work in practice for those on the ground, whilst providing security and fairness for both parties of the rental agreement.

It is also important implementation is well planned and managed as these reforms are significant for the sector and everyone will need time to understand and prepare for the new measures.

Timothy DouglasHead of Policy and Campaigns | Propertymark

Propertymark is ensuring your voice is heard

Propertymark is campaigning to ensure the UK Government’s plans to reform the private rented sector are fit for purpose and will work in practice.

So far, we’ve engaged with senior officials at DLUHC, provided evidence at Minister-led roundtables and made your views clear at select committee sessions in Parliament. We have also engaged with politicians across the political divide and in 2021 and produced our own White Paper: ‘The Future of Renting’ to influence and shape the reforms going forward.