The renters (reform) bill delivers a “fair deal” for both tenants and landlords, according to Ben Beadle, chief executive of the National Residential Landlord Association.
These comments were made ahead of the bill having its report stage and third reading today (April 24) following the addition of a number of new amendments.
This included an amendment calling for tenants not to be asked to give two months’ notice leave until they have been in a property for at least four months for fixed term tenancies.
Another called for a review of the courts before section 21 is abolished for existing tenancies.
Beadle described the bill as delivering a fair deal and argued that, in the interests of certainty for the sector, it is now time to ensure it passes through parliament.
Beadle pointed out that renters will benefit from the abolition of section 21 repossessions and fixed term tenancies.
The bill will also “introduce a decent homes standard, a new ombudsman and property portal, which landlords will have to join, as well as measures to protect families and those in receipt of benefits from discrimination,” according to Beadle.
However, he added a note of caution pointing to a statement from Generation Rent, a tenant group, which warned that landlords selling properties is “a leading cause of homelessness”.
Consequently, Beadle argued: “The only answer to this is ensuring responsible landlords feel confident enough to stay in the market. Greater security for tenants will mean nothing if the rental homes are not there in the first place.
“A number of the amendments proposed to the bill enact recommendations by the cross-party housing select committee.
“Taken together they would ensure a balanced bill that protects tenants and ensures it is viable for responsible landlords to continue renting properties out.”
Further support
Beadle was not alone in his support for the bill as Zero Deposit CEO, Sam Reynolds, described it as a “once in a generation opportunity to improve the rental market to benefit tenants and landlords alike”.
He argued it would provide both with “greater protections” and ensure a “more harmonious rental sector”.
Reynolds also described the clause which prevents tenants from giving two months notice as being “warmly welcomed”, largely because the alternative was so unattractive.
“While greater flexibility for tenants is needed, it’s simply unviable for landlords not to have a certainty of rental term, so the guarantee of a six month minimum term should help reassure landlords and prevent them from exiting the sector,” he explained.
tom.dunstan@ft.com
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