The Renters Reform Bill is expected to get its second reading on Monday, heralding a huge shake-up of the sector after four years in the planning.

First announced in 2019 and introduced in May, the legislation is “strongly rumoured” to reach its next stage next week, according to the NRLA, although the business won’t be officially set until the Leader of the House provides the business statement in the Commons tomorrow.

There had been fears that some Conservative MPs were holding up the Bill and earlier this week a group of 30 charities and non-profit organisations wrote to Rishi Sunak, arguing that delays would risk causing “more avoidable hardship and suffering”.

'Confirmed'

The Financial Times quotes senior government figures confirming there will be a carry-over motion allowing it to make it through into the next parliamentary session that begins with the King’s Speech on 7th November.  

According to the newspaper, Housing Secretary Michael Gove has written to MPs citing an impact assessment showing average net costs to landlords will be as little as £10 per property.

He pledged that the changes to Section 21 would not be introduced until various reforms to the justice system were in place, including prioritising cases such as anti-social behaviour.  Gove also said the government would protect the right of landlords to increase rents in line with market levels.

Oli Sherlock (pictured), director at renting platform Goodlord, says four years of uncertainty around whether it would ever come into law hasn’t helped tenants, landlords or letting agents.

He adds: “If we do indeed see a second reading on Monday, it seems more likely than ever that the Renters Reform Bill will finally come into force. However, it will be interesting to see the level of challenge from MPs given recent reports.”