Renters reform bill UK 2022
In June 2022 the UK government released a renters reform bill called ‘A fairer private rented sector’. This policy was created to restrict tribunals from increasing rents and allow tenants to be repaid rent for living in non-decent homes. Furthermore, the fairer private rented sector policy ensures improvements to the rights and conditions for millions of renters.
A fairer private rented sector
The white paper marks a generational shift that will redress the balance between landlords and millions of privately rented UK tenants. It provides support for the cost of living pressures protecting the most vulnerable, and new measures to tackle unfair rent increases. This is set to improve lives and level up the country, delivering more housing and greater protections for tenants and homeowners. Although the majority of tenants enjoy safe and secure rentals, over 21% of private renters and households currently live in unfit homes. So, this ‘New Deal’ will extend the Decent Homes Standard to the private sector for the first time, leveling up opportunities. This means homes must be hazard-free, and landlords must keep homes in a good state of repair.
No fault’ section 21 evictions
The no-fault section 21 evictions that allow landlords to terminate tenancies without giving any reason will now be outlawed. On 15 April 2019, the then-Government announced: “Private landlords will no longer be able to evict tenants from their homes at short notice and without good reason.” This was followed by a consultation process that ran between July and October 2019. The consultation paper proposed the abolition of section 21 of the Housing Act 1988.
The Governments response
The Queen’s Speech 2021 announced an intention to publish the Government’s response to the 2019 consultation exercise. It provides details of a private rented sector reform package in a white paper in autumn 2021. This new renters reform bill will have a huge impact on the rental market – and for the better.
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