Raft of rental reforms could lead to ban on no-fault evictions and upfront costs
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The Government has pledged to modernise the country's "insecure and unjust private rented sector" with new legislation, as rental reforms are once again under discussion in Parliament. MPs will consider a ban on what Housing Secretary Angela Rayner calls "outrageous upfront costs" demanded by landlords from new tenants. An amendment to the Renters’ Rights Bill, which returned to the House of Commons on Tuesday, suggests capping advance rent payments at one month’s rent.
However, landlord groups including the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA), British Property Federation and Propertymark have warned that such a move could expose property owners to risk if tenants cannot prove their ability to pay ongoing rent.
These groups argue that the Government's proposed changes "risk making access to rented housing harder for the very people we want to support". The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, however, stated that landlords would still be able to demand a security deposit of up to six weeks' rent, providing them with confidence that tenants can maintain their tenancy agreements.
The proposed changes also include an eagerly anticipated end to section 21 "no-fault evictions" and protections for bereaved families, ensuring that guarantors – often family members – are not forced to continue paying rent for the remainder of the tenancy after a loved one has passed away.
