The Second Reading of the Renters’ Rights Bill was held by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner on 9th October 2024.
The second reading is the first time the bill has been addressed in Parliament since it was announced in September, and therefore the first time it's been debated by other parties.
As was expected, the second reading of the Renters’ Rights Bill prompted a long debate in the House of Commons, with many MPs sharing stories of constituents who faced no-fault evictions.
This stage in parliamentary procedure allows us to get a sense of the sentiment from MPs: Labour re-affirmed their commitment to their Renters’ Rights version of the Bill, while the Conservatives tabled an unsuccessful amendment to decline to give the Bill a Second Reading while simultaneously acknowledging that the previous Government’s own Renters (Reform) Bill had been flawed.
According to Rayner, the main goal of the Renters’ Rights Bill is to ensure that all tenants can live “in a decent, safe and affordable home”.
She highlighted that good landlords have nothing to worry about and that this legislation will eliminate the “bad apples” in the sector.
Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative Party's Shadow Secretary of State for Housing, Communities, and Local Government, has called for an amendment to stop the bill from progressing further due to the “unintended consequences” it will cause to the sector, however, this was not accepted.
Now that the second reading is complete, the Bill will move to the Committee Stage, chaired by Florence Eshalomi MP, where more detailed scrutiny will take place.
Here is an overview of what was discussed during the second reading:
- Section 21 “no-fault” evictions
- Modernising the dispute process
- Introducing a new landlord database
- Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs)
- Conservative Party response
- What happens next to the Renters’ Rights Bill?
Section 21 “no-fault” evictions
Abolishing Section 21 "no-fault" evictions was a focal point of the second reading. Angela Rayner stated that many tenants “live in fear of Section 21,” and scrapping it would bring much-needed stability to families.
Labour MPs argue that removing this provision will give tenants the confidence to report issues like damp, mould, or rent hikes without fear of eviction.
However, as MPs highlighted, there are growing concerns about how the courts will handle a potential increase in repossession orders.
Dame Siobhain McDonagh MP pointed out that letting agents and landlords already face long waits of up to 12 weeks for bailiff warrants. Strengthening the court system will be key to ensuring landlords can regain possession swiftly when justified.
Modernising the dispute process
To support these changes, the Bill proposes a digitised county court process, which aims to resolve disputes more efficiently.
Angela Rayner noted that the Property Ombudsman will play a crucial role in helping resolve issues before they escalate to legal proceedings, reducing the strain on the courts.
For letting agents, this could mean faster resolutions for disputes between landlords and tenants.
Introducing a new landlord database
The Renters' Rights Bill introduces a mandatory landlord requirement, which will ensure that they provide detailed information regarding each rental property they may have, including their standards and compliance with the law.
Rayner stated that the aim is to improve transparency and raise standards across the rental sector, aiming to “benefit landlords and tenants alike.”
Letting agents will need to ensure their landlords are fully compliant, as failing to register or provide accurate information could lead to penalties.
Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs)
MPs also raised the Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) issue during the second reading, particularly around Labour's plans to upgrade private rental properties to an EPC band C.
However, Angela Rayner clarified that these changes will not be enforced through the Renters' Rights Bill - at least, not at this stage. Letting agents should still be aware of upcoming EPC regulations that could affect their properties in the future.
Conservative Party Response
During the debate, Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative Shadow Secretary of State for Housing, Communities, and Local Government, expressed concerns about the Bill. Despite the Bill's incredible similarity to the original Renters (Reform) Bill, Badenoch claimed that it would create “unintended consequences” for the sector.
She argued that it could reduce “housing for the private rental sector due to these regulations. This reduction of supply is affecting tenants as well as landlords."
Badenoch also urged the Labour government to consider the experiences of the Scottish rental sector when assessing the potential impact on the English market.
Conservative MP Priti Patel also called for transparency regarding the costs this Bill could impose on landlords and any further clauses that might affect them.
What happens next to the Renters’ Rights Bill?
The Renters' Rights Bill will now move to the committee chaired by Florence Eshalomi, MP for Vauxhall and Camberwell Green.
Eshalomi emphasised the importance of this stage, stating, “Fixing the housing crisis and ensuring more homes are built are crucial missions for the country, and I am sure my Committee will wish to scrutinise the Government’s progress in these areas.”
A date for the Committee Stage has not yet been set, but letting agents should stay informed of any updates. This stage will dive into the finer details of the Bill, determining how various elements will be implemented. Staying on top of these developments will be essential for agents to understand how the new regulations may impact their operations.
How will Renters Rights Bill reforms be enforced?
The head of the UK’s largest not-for-profit accreditation scheme has voiced concern at the absence of details about how the radical reforms contained in the Renters Rights Bill will actually be enforced.
Isobel Thomson, chief executive of safeagent, was commenting after the second reading of the Bill in the House of Commons, passed with a large majority.
The Bill says local councils will be given stronger powers to crack down on unscrupulous landlords, with maximum fines increased to up to £40,000 for serious offenders; however, local government remains under severe pressure financially, and the Bill contains no details of how any additional enforcement will be met.
She says “the 2nd Reading of the Renters’ Reform Bill saw the Government restate the content of the Bill but with no further detail on how it would be delivered or the impact it might have on the market. We welcome the acknowledgement from both sides of the House that enforcement is a key part of the delivery of safe and secure housing. However, we need it to be effective now and that is not happening, so how can we trust that the delivery of this Bill will change anything?
As always, professional agents will perform their vital role in supporting the sector and ensuring their tenants and landlords understand their responsibilities so that tenancies are safe and secure.”
The Bill next moves to the committee stage, at which point the measures are scrutinised in detail with possible amendments put forward by MPs.
Rental reform requires investment in courts
Rental reform can only happen if the UK government provides proper funding for the justice system, urges the Law Society of England and Wales.
Law Society president Nick Emmerson says “as the housing crisis spirals out of control, it is vital that renters are afforded clear rights that protect them from unjust treatment and homelessness. Abolishing ‘no-fault’ evictions is a critical step in bolstering these protections and we are pleased the government has prioritised this action in its Renters’ Rights Bill.
The government must also balance tenant rights with landlords’ routes to repossessions. Maintaining this balance is key to reforming the rental market. We remain concerned that an underfunded justice system will hinder any progress made in strengthening renters’ rights. As the Bill may lead to an increase in eviction hearings in the short term, it is in the interests of both renters and landlords that renters have access to legal help and that the courts are adequately resourced to handle the increasing demand.
Acute underfunding of the justice system has left both a backlog of court cases and more than 25 million people without a local legal aid provider for housing advice. To ensure renters are protected when facing eviction, funding for the justice system must increase alongside efforts to reform the rental market. The justice system plays a vital role in ensuring renters can access their rights. If the government is serious about supporting renters, it must recognise this vital role and invest in legal aid and court reform.“