While most tenant campaigning groups have criticised the Renters (Reform) Bill for being too ‘watered down’, the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) has said it represents in its current form a fair deal for tenants and landlords.

The Bill is being is to receive its third reading this afternoon in the Commons following Prime Minister’s Question Time, during which the dozens of amendments offered up by MPs on all sides of the house will be voted through of rejected. It will then move on to the Lords for further scrutiny.

Ben Beadle, Chief Executive of the NRLA (main image), says that in the interests of certainty for landlords it is “now time to ensure the Bill passes through Parliament”.

Main proposals

The Bill will abolish section 21 repossessions and fixed term tenancies, introduce a Decent Homes Standard for the sector, 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.

“Going forward, it will always be for the courts to decide if landlords have met the threshold to repossess a property based on a series of legitimate reasons,” says Beadle.

“This includes tenant anti-social behaviour, serious rent arrears or where a landlord plans to sell a property.  

Warned

“That said, the tenant group, Generation Rent, has rightly warned that landlords selling properties is ‘a leading cause of homelessness.’

“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 continuing renting properties out.”