Half of agents worried about Renters Rights Bill – Propertymark

Half of agents worried about Renters Rights Bill – Propertymark

Data gathered by Propertymark suggests that 50% of surveyed property agents are specifically concerned about the Renters’ Rights Bill.

Overall, Propertymark believes change is needed in the sector and supports many of the greater protections that the Renters’ Rights Bill will provide renters with. However, there are specific areas of the proposed legislation that the industry body believes will have wider implications across the sector.

The professional body believes that the Renters’ Rights Bill will be counterproductive if a fair balance is not struck between tenants’ and landlords’ rights. With supply being a crucial issue for the private rental sector, it is essential that legislative change does not drive more landlords to leave the market or deter new entrants from providing much needed investment and homes to rent.

The Bill went through two amendment stages in the House of Commons called the Report Stage and the Third Reading on January 14 and will now be scrutinised by the House of Lords on February 4.

Introduced by the UK Government following Labour’s general election win in July 2024, the Renters’ Rights Bill aims to stop perceived ‘bidding wars’ between landlords, end ‘no fault’ evictions by scrapping a controversial measure known as Section 21, let tenants keep pets, and end fixed-term tenancies that are popular among students who tend to rent a property during an academic year.

Other measures include ensuring the private rental sector abides by a Decent Homes Standard and Awaab’s Law, which was brought about due to the death of Awaab Ishak because of a severe respiratory condition.     

A fresh ombudsman service for private rented sector landlords will also be created, and crucial information for landlords, tenants, and councils will be retained on a digital private rented sector database.    Read the full article at Letting Agent Today