The Renters’ Rights Bill will return to the House of Commons on 14th January for its report stage and third reading.

All MPs can speak during the report stage when only amendments are discussed, while the third reading is a general discussion immediately afterwards when no amendments are possible.

The Bill will then need to pass through the House of Lords, but should peers make any amendments, it will return to the Commons where both Houses will engage in a ‘ping-pong’ process until they reach an agreement. Once both Houses approve the final version, the Renters’ Rights Bill will be sent for Royal Assent, before becoming law in the Spring.

The Bill will abolish Section 21 evictions, end assured shorthold tenancies and apply Awaab’s law to the PRS. MPs’ most recent amendments include a new clause that would make it unlawful for a landlord to demand or accept more than one month’s rent in advance, and to prevent student leases being signed before March in the year in which they start.

Landlord defence

During the second reading in October, other than shadow housing secretary Kemi Badenoch, few MPs stood to defend landlords, while during the recent committee stage, concerns were raised by landlords, property groups and lawyers about how reforms could break local councils, cost landlords more in extra penalties and cause them to leave the sector and raise rents.

NRLA chief executive Ben Beadle (pictured) cautioned MPs about the potentially devastating effect on the supply of rental homes, especially as landlord confidence remains at a record low.

He also warned of the strain the proposed changes could have on the courts, highlighting the importance of reform to ensure landlords can regain possession of their properties, when necessary, in a timely manner.