‘Transformational’: Renters’ Rights Bill passes final stage in commons

Mairi MacRae, director of campaigns and policy at Shelter, said: “After years of delays and empty promises, we are finally on the cusp of the Renters’ Rights Bill being passed – a landmark opportunity to provide real security and stability for England’s 11 million private renters. 

“Our broken private rental system has fuelled homelessness for decades. 

“It has forced renters to put up with unsafe conditions, silenced by the fear of a no-fault eviction notice dropping through the letterbox. Families are paying through the nose – yet endure instability, unjust evictions and outright discrimination – all to simply keep a roof over their heads.

“Since the government promised to immediately ban no-fault Section 21 evictions well over a year ago, thousands of households have been marched from their homes by bailiffs. 

“The passing and implementation of these reforms cannot come quickly enough. Millions are waiting.”

Francesca Albanese, executive director of policy and social change at Crisis, said: “This marks a key milestone for the millions of people currently renting their home across England who are in desperate need of some stability. With just one final step before the bill officially becomes law, private renters will no longer have to worry about the threat of a no-fault eviction pushing them into homelessness.  

“The bill will also introduce additional measures to give private tenants much-needed security”

“The bill will also introduce additional measures to give private tenants much-needed security, including replacing fixed-term tenancies with periodic ones, and cracking down on unfair rent hikes through tighter restrictions on when and how landlords can raise rents. 

“With no-fault evictions being one of the leading causes of homelessness, as an organisation we have campaigned long and hard to strengthen renters’ rights and this legislation is a crucial step in doing so. We look forward to working with government as the law passes, putting an end to unnecessary evictions that force people into homelessness, and ensuring that everyone has a safe, secure place to call home.”

‘Landmark day’

Ben Twomey, chief executive of Generation Rent, said: “Today is a landmark day for renters across England. This new law is a vital step towards rebalancing power between renters and landlords, and should be celebrated.

“Our homes are the foundation of our lives, but for too long our broken renting system has left huge numbers of renters staring down the barrel of poverty and homelessness, while placing a huge strain on local councils.

“For decades, Section 21 evictions forced renters to live in fear of being turfed out of our homes, preventing us from raising valid concerns with our landlords.

“At last, this outdated and unfair law is being sent packing. This new law didn’t appear out of thin air. It is the result of years of tireless campaigning from the renter movement, alongside the dedication and strength of ordinary renters.

“Our work is far from done, particularly in challenging the unchecked and soaring cost of renting, but I hope that renters across England can rest a little easier tonight in recognition of what we have achieved together.”

Sean Palmer, executive director of St Mungo’s, said: “That the long-awaited Renters’ Rights Bill will soon become law is a watershed moment for tenants across the country, and welcome news for everyone committed to ending UK homelessness.

“At St Mungo’s, we see the real human impact of people pushed to the brink of homelessness by spiralling rents, unfair evictions and poor-quality housing.

“Affordable, accessible private rented housing is essential for preventing people from experiencing homelessness in the first place, and as part of their recovery.

“By delivering on its commitments to empower renters with greater security, protections and rights, the government has taken a positive, tangible step towards ensuring everyone has somewhere safe and secure to call home.

“A clear, comprehensive homelessness strategy that brings focus to the issue across government will further support this positive momentum, alongside long-term, sustained funding.”

Paul Shanks, from the Renters’ Reform Coalition, said: “The passing of the Renters’ Rights Bill is fantastic news for England’s 12 million private renters – and a testament to the hard work of thousands of renter campaigners and housing organisations who have fought for these reforms for the best part of a decade.

“These changes will give tenants crucial protections and security in their homes, allowing us to put down roots and become part of our communities.

“However, even once the king has signed it into law, renters won’t feel the benefit of this crucial legislation until its implementation date when it comes into force – in the meantime, thousands of renters will continue to face unjust evictions and poor treatment from landlords.

“The government must set out when the bill will come into effect, and that date should be as soon as possible. Renters have waited long enough.”

Suzannah Young, policy leader at the National Housing Federation, said: “We strongly welcome the Renters’ Rights Bill for its ambition to give greater rights, security and protection to private renters.

“The removal of no-fault evictions that cause untold upheaval and stress, forcing renters to uproot their lives and putting those on low incomes at risk of homelessness, is an important step to curbing the country’s rising homelessness crisis.

“The removal of no-fault evictions that cause untold upheaval and stress… is an important step to curbing the country’s rising homelessness crisis”

“We were pleased to work closely with the government throughout the passing of this legislation to avoid unintended consequences for housing associations and housing association residents.”

“The government has listened to tenants and the housing sector on this issue and delivered. We look forward to working with government to ensure the new act can be fully enforced.”

‘Step forward’

A spokesperson for End Our Cladding Scandal said: “The Renters’ Rights Bill is a welcome step forward for tenants – the government must now ensure its implementation is as prompt as possible while still being precise.

“We particularly welcome the exemption on sub-letting for shared owners, which was initially resisted but now understood to be vital for shared owners who have been forced to become accidental landlords.

“There is still more to do to mitigate the wider impact of the building safety crisis on shared owners, but we welcome the constructive approach that has been taken by Minister Pennycook and officials so far.

“Labour has said it has kept its promise where the previous Conservative government failed – that may be true in respect of the RRB; however, we are still waiting to see whether Labour will keep its promises to deliver change for the hundreds of thousands of people trapped in limbo waiting for their homes to be made safe.”

Darren Baxter, principal policy advisor – housing and land at the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, said: “We’ve long campaigned for more protection for renters in the private sector so seeing the Renters’ Rights Bill pass on to the statute book is extremely welcome.

“Key provisions such as abolishing no-fault evictions are undoubtedly a step in the right direction, given the precarious situations many renters have found themselves in – in extreme cases suddenly homeless just for challenging unfair rent increases and other such questionable practices.”