Renters (Reform) Bill 2023

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Renters (Reform) Bill
Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom (Variant 1, 2022).svg
Long title A Bill to make provision changing the law about rented homes, including provision abolishing fixed term assured tenancies and assured shorthold tenancies; imposing obligations on landlords and others in relation to rented homes and temporary and supported accommodation; and for connected purposes.
Introduced by
Status: Not passed
History of passage through Parliament

The Renters (Reform) Bill was a proposed Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.

The bill was introduced by the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Michael Gove, on 17 May 2023. The legislation proposed to end the no-fault eviction of tenants, as well as making it easier for landlords to evict antisocial tenants. [1]

After the announcement of the 2024 general election, the bill was axed during the parliamentary wash-up period. [2] After winning the election, the new Labour government committed to reviving the bill. [3]

The bill is due to be revived in the form of the Renters' Rights Bill, announced in the 2024 King's Speech.

Overview of Bill Measures [4]

  1. Abolish 'no fault' evictions under section 21, shifting to a simplified tenancy structure for increased tenant security and empowerment.
  2. Expand possession grounds for landlords, allowing property recovery in various situations, including property sale or relocation of close family, and facilitating repossession in cases of tenant fault.
  3. Strengthen protections against backdoor eviction, enabling tenants to appeal excessive rents designed to force eviction, with an independent tribunal determining market rent.
  4. Establish a Private Rented Sector Ombudsman for fair and efficient issue resolution, offering an alternative to the court system.
  5. Introduce a Privately Rented Property Portal to inform landlords about legal obligations, boost compliance, and provide tenants with information for informed decisions.
  6. Grant tenants the right to request a pet, making landlords consider requests and allowing them to require pet insurance for property damage coverage.

Related Research Articles

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Eviction is the removal of a tenant from rental property by the landlord. In some jurisdictions it may also involve the removal of persons from premises that were foreclosed by a mortgagee.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lease</span> Contractual agreement in which an assets owner lets someone else use it in exchange for payment

A lease is a contractual arrangement calling for the user to pay the owner for the use of an asset. Property, buildings and vehicles are common assets that are leased. Industrial or business equipment are also leased. Basically a lease agreement is a contract between two parties: the lessor and the lessee. The lessor is the legal owner of the asset, while the lessee obtains the right to use the asset in return for regular rental payments. The lessee also agrees to abide by various conditions regarding their use of the property or equipment. For example, a person leasing a car may agree to the condition that the car will only be used for personal use.

A rental agreement is a contract of rental, usually written, between the owner of a property and a renter who desires to have temporary possession of the property; it is distinguished from a lease, which is more typically for a fixed term. As a minimum, the agreement identifies the parties, the property, the term of the rental, and the amount of rent for the term. The owner of the property may be referred to as the lessor and the renter as the lessee.

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Patrick Harvie is a Scottish politician who served as Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings, Active Travel and Tenants' Rights from 2021 to 2024. He has served as one of two co-leaders of the Scottish Greens since 2008, and is one of the first Green politicians in the UK to serve as a government minister. Harvie has been a Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for the Glasgow region since 2003.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Landlord and Tenant Act 1985</span> United Kingdom legislation

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eviction in the United States</span> Landlord removals of rental housing tenants in the North American country

Eviction in the United States refers to the pattern of tenant removal by landlords in the United States. In an eviction process, landlords forcibly remove tenants from their place of residence and reclaim the property. Landlords may decide to evict tenants who have failed to pay rent, violated lease terms, or possess an expired lease. Landlords may also choose not to renew a tenant's lease, however, this does not constitute an eviction. In the United States, eviction procedures, landlord rights, and tenant protections vary by state and locality. Historically, the United States has seen changes in domestic eviction rates during periods of major socio-political and economic turmoil—including the Great Depression, the 2008 Recession, and the COVID-19 pandemic. High eviction rates are driven by affordable housing shortages and rising housing costs. Across the United States, low-income and disadvantaged neighborhoods have disproportionately higher eviction rates. Certain demographics—including low income renters, Black and Hispanic renters, women, and people with children—are also at a greater risk of eviction. Additionally, eviction filings remain on renters' public records. This can make it more difficult for renters to access future housing, since most landlords will not rent to a tenant with a history of eviction. Eviction and housing instability are also linked to many negative health and life outcomes, including homelessness, poverty, and poor mental and physical health.

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Just cause eviction, also known as good cause eviction, describes laws that aim to provide tenants protection from unreasonable evictions, rent hikes, and non-renewal of lease agreements. These laws allow tenants to challenge evictions in court that are not for "legitimate" reasons. Generally, landlords oppose just-cause eviction laws due to concerns over profit, housing stock, and court cases.

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References

  1. Forsyth, Alex; Nevett, Joshua; Partridge, Alex (17 May 2023). "No-fault evictions to be banned in reform of rental sector". BBC News. BBC. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
  2. Farley, Harry (24 May 2024). "No-fault renters evictions bill runs out of time". BBC News . Retrieved 26 May 2024.
  3. "Renters Reform Bill back in tomorrow's King's Speech". Landlord Today. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
  4. "Guide to the Renters (Reform) Bill". GOV.UK. Retrieved 12 February 2024.