-
14/7/25 8:13 pm
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Pet deposits look set to be the key battleground in the Renters’ Rights Bill as peers make another bid to include them.
Last month, MPs voted against allowing landlords to ask for a pet deposit of up to three weeks’ rent by 206 votes to 198. Many in the sector were already unhappy after the government previously dropped a requirement for pet insurance. Baroness Scott will now reintroduce the amendment for pet deposits when the Bill gets its next hearing in the House of Lords on 14th October. This would allow landlords to use the deposit to repair damage and would be subject to the rules governing deposits in tenancy agreements.
During the upcoming debate, Lord Young will reintroduce another Conservative amendment which would exempt shared owners from the 12-month re-letting and re-marketing restriction and enable landlords with shared leases to re-let the property if the sale falls through. The government previously opposed this, with Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook (pictured) arguing that it could undermine protections for the small subset of tenants who happen to rent a sublet home from a shared owner.
The third amendment lodged so far comes from Baroness Grender which aims to force the government to produce an annual report on the Decent Homes Standard around Ministry of Defence accommodation in England, including an assessment of whether it has been met, and action to be taken when it falls below standard.
The Bill is in the final stage of Parliamentary scrutiny, commonly known as ‘ping-pong’, with discussion bouncing between the Commons and the Lords. Changes agreed in the Commons last month still must be approved by peers before Royal Assent can take place, but the exact timings depend on whether the Lords decide to send the Bill back to the Commons for further consideration.
Tags:
.png)
Comments