The timing of the long-anticipated Renters Reform Bill is still in doubt after housing ministers appeared to contradict each other.
In the Commons yesterday, the minister in charge, Rachel Maclean, confirmed comments she made at a recent renters' reform rally that it would be introduced by the autumn.
She also confirmed, 'the Government's commitment to abolish section 21 evictions as soon as parliamentary time allows'�.
This could mean the Bill would be introduced to the Commons sometime before 23rd September '� the official start of autumn according to the Met Office - despite Housing Secretary Michael Gove's pledge at the weekend that it would be introduced in two months' time.
He told the Sunday with Laura Keunnsberg programme: 'We're bringing forward reforms a little later this year - in a couple of months' time actually - to see how the private rental sector can be better regulated.'�
The reforms were originally expected within a year of the A Fairer Private Rented Sector White Paper, in June or July 2023.
According to Robert Bolwell (pictured), senior partner at Dutton Gregory solicitors, a Bill would normally take a year to go back and forth between parliament and the Houses of Commons and Lords, meaning that if it was put forward by September, we could see legislation in September 2024.
However, speaking in a Goodlord webinar, Bolwell, explained that legislation normally takes effect on either 1st October or 1st April.
If the bill became a parliamentary Act in September 2024, it was unlikely to become law in October 2024, and would be more likely to happen in April 2025 - although a general election would cause disruption and a new Labour government could completely derail it.
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