Renters’ Rights Bill Delay Causing Uncertainty for Tenants and Landlords

Ministers need to tell landlords and tenants when measures in the Renters’ Rights Bill will take effect the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) is today warning.

The Government pledged last year to abolish Section 21 ‘no explanation’ repossessions and to make other changes to the rental market this summer. With the Bill not scheduled to begin detailed scrutiny in the House of Lords until after Easter, this timetable will now be missed.

Whilst the Government has said it will give the sector “as much notice as possible” about when the Bill will be implemented, no further detail has been provided.

Almost five million households will be affected by the decision to end fixed term tenancies, illustrating the scale of the challenge facing the private rented sector. A minimum of six months from the point at which regulations are published will be needed to ensure that landlords, tenants, and the businesses which support them are adequately prepared for these reforms.

The UK Government should learn from the experience of implementing similar reforms elsewhere across the country, which uncovered significant difficulties that took a substantial amount of time to resolve.

Changes needed to ensure the smooth implementation of the system replacing Section 21 include:

  • Equipping landlords, agents and legal professionals with guidance and training to manage the transition effectively.
  • Adjusting policies and rates across insurance and mortgage providers.
  • Adapting court procedures to prepare for an increase of in-person hearings.
  • Training letting agents and updating their internal processes and IT systems.

 

Ben Beadle, Chief Executive of the National Residential Landlords Association, said:

“The lack of clarity is causing needless uncertainty for both landlords and tenants. It is damaging the rental market at a time when there is already a chronic shortage of homes to rent.

“Given the extent of the changes, at least six months will be needed to ensure a smooth transition to the new tenancy system. Anything less will be a recipe for confusion and chaos.

“The idea that such sweeping changes could be made overnight is, at best, wishful thinking.”

EAN Breaking News

Breaking News from the team at Estate Agent Networking. Have a new story to share with us? Then please get in contact today! When and where we can we will refer to third party websites with a 'live link back' where news was released first.

You May Also Enjoy

Breaking News

Homeowners in England and Wales overvalue their properties by an average of 16%

Homeowners in England and Wales are overestimating the value of their property by an average of 16%, according to new figures. Data from Quick Move Now compares homeowner estimates with formal estate agent valuations and is broken down by both region and property type. Overall, homeowners overvalue in every single category.   Regional breakdown Region…
Read More
Visual blemishes on Roads due to service upgrades
Estate Agent Talk

Emergency Sidewalk Repairs: When to Act and Who to Call

Sidewalks are the unsung heroes of city infrastructure—quietly assisting tens of millions of footsteps every day. But when they crack, disintegrate, or shift all of sudden, they might quickly turn out to be volatile liabilities. In a town like New York, in which pedestrian site visitors are constant and belongings proprietors are legally chargeable for…
Read More
Breaking News

Reapit report reveals agents’ long-term market confidence amid legislative challenges

Despite the significant challenges posed by a shifting economic landscape and the largest wave of housing legislation in decades, estate and letting agents remain steadfast in their confidence about their long-term future in the industry. According to the first Reapit Property Outlook Report 2025, covering the full breadth of sales and lettings agency opinion countrywide,…
Read More
Breaking News

Owner-Occupiers Drive Resilient Commercial Property Market

Buying Becomes 37% Cheaper Than Renting The latest Commercial Property Demand Index from specialist property finance expert, Rangewell, reveals that while investor appetite across the sector held steady in Q2, strong levels of owner-occupied commercial mortgage activity are helping drive market performance, as business owners increasingly move from renting to buying their long-term premises for…
Read More
Breaking News

One year of Labour: Property market performance review

Investors left waiting for planning reform and incentives but majority plan to increase real estate allocation   Biggest failures: Lack of incentives for developers and investors, and ineffective planning reform Top priorities: Planning reform, tax incentives, and attracting international capital Where opportunities lie: Data centres, warehousing & logistics, and later-life housing Real estate debt is…
Read More
Estate Agent Talk

Plumbing Red Flags Every Homebuyer Should Watch Out For

Buying a home is one of the most significant investments a person can make. While factors like location, square footage, and curb appeal often steal the spotlight, what’s hidden behind the walls is just as important—especially the plumbing. Overlooking plumbing issues during the home-buying process can lead to costly surprises down the road. That’s why…
Read More