header-logo header-logo

Will the Renters Reform Bill harm tenants?

04 August 2023 / Gary Scott
Issue: 8036 / Categories: Opinion , Landlord&tenant , Property
printer mail-detail
132776
Intended to deliver a ‘renting revolution’, the Renters Reform Bill may ultimately achieve just the opposite: Gary Scott lists some causes for concern

The Renters Reform Bill is a bold attempt by government to change the structure and nature of the landlord and tenant relationship that has been in place for the past 30 years by abolishing assured shorthold tenancies. The aim is to remedy existing issues within the rental sector and to try to balance tenants’ security and a settled home life against the flexibility of landlords to deal with their property. The proposed legislation seems to have at its heart the idea that both parties should play fair.

What’s in the Bill?

What some have called the ‘no-fault’ eviction mechanism will be ended, but it would better be described as the ending of ‘no-reason’ evictions. Landlords would still have specified permitted reasons for eviction where the tenant is not at fault.

The right to end a tenancy for rent arrears is set to be changed

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Freeths—Ruth Clare

Freeths—Ruth Clare

National real estate team bolstered by partner hire in Manchester

Farrer & Co—Claire Gordon

Farrer & Co—Claire Gordon

Partner appointed head of family team

mfg Solicitors—Neil Harrison

mfg Solicitors—Neil Harrison

Firm strengthens agriculture and rural affairs team with partner return

NEWS
Conveyancing lawyers have enjoyed a rapid win after campaigning against UK Finance’s decision to charge for access to the Mortgage Lenders’ Handbook
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has launched a recruitment drive for talented early career and more senior barristers and solicitors
Regulators differed in the clarity and consistency of their post-Mazur advice and guidance, according to an interim report by the Legal Services Board (LSB)
The dangers of uncritical artificial intelligence (AI) use in legal practice are no longer hypothetical. In this week's NLJ, Dr Charanjit Singh of Holborn Chambers examines cases where lawyers relied on ‘hallucinated’ citations — entirely fictitious authorities generated by AI tools
The Solicitors Act 1974 may still underpin legal regulation, but its age is increasingly showing. Writing in NLJ this week, Victoria Morrison-Hughes of the Association of Costs Lawyers argues that the Act is ‘out of step with modern consumer law’ and actively deters fairness
back-to-top-scroll