Patricia Ogunfeibo, a landlord who has managed rental properties since 1986, recently sold one of her nine flats in south-east London, citing concerns over the imminent Renters' Rights Bill. The 61-year-old expressed a desire to exit the landlord market, reflecting a growing trend among property owners wary of the bill’s implications. The legislation, considered one of the most substantial reforms to the private rental sector in recent years, aims to bolster tenant protections by banning Section 21 "no-fault" evictions, allowing tenants to challenge unfair rent hikes, and outlawing discrimination against prospective tenants on benefits or with children. Ogunfeibo fears these measures could inadvertently reduce the rental supply, pushing up rents amid already strained housing affordability.

The UK government presents the Renters' Rights Bill as a transformative initiative to rebalance the power dynamic between tenants and landlords. According to official statements, the bill will introduce a Private Rented Sector Database to help landlords meet legal obligations and improve compliance transparency. It will also address harmful practices such as rental bidding wars and enable tenants to request permission to keep pets. The government emphasises that these reforms will create greater housing security, rights, and protections for approximately 11 million renters across the country. Additional provisions will extend the Decent Homes Standard to the private sector for the first time, aiming to enhance the safety and quality of rental properties, while crackdowns on rogue landlords seek to protect vulnerable tenants.

Despite these aims, some in the landlord community remain apprehensive. Chris Norris, chief policy officer for the National Residential Landlords Association, highlights the importance of securing responsible landlords' confidence and ensuring courts can efficiently handle possession cases once Section 21 is abolished. Data from landlord surveys indicate smaller landlords, those with fewer properties, are more inclined to leave the market in light of regulatory changes. This trend risks exacerbating the rental housing shortage, especially in London, where new lettings have already declined by 8% year-on-year.

For tenants, the bill promises significant improvements. Natasha Johnson, who was evicted under Section 21 during the COVID-19 pandemic, described the trauma of losing her home and the instability it introduced to her family life. The bill will provide new tenants with a 12-month protected period during which evictions for landlord’s personal reasons are prohibited. After this period, four months' notice will be required to end tenancies with valid reasons specified. The London Renters Union welcomed the end of no-fault evictions yet called for further rent control measures to prevent soaring rents from forcing people out of their homes and communities. They argue that without rental price caps, tenants will continue to struggle despite enhanced legal protections.

Government officials maintain that the bill remains a legislative priority and will rapidly become law, framing it as a cornerstone of Labour’s manifesto commitments. The bill aims to level the playing field, empowering tenants to challenge excessive rent increases and poor conditions effectively, while promoting fairness and stability within the rental market. As the bill progresses through Parliament, its success will depend on balancing tenant protections with maintaining a viable rental market to ensure access to affordable homes for all.

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Source: Noah Wire Services