Today in politics: Renters' Reform Bill, referencing and Covid testing for students
Housing Minister, Christopher Pincher has told MPs the Renters’ Reform Bill needs to be taken forward in a ‘considered manner’ when ‘urgencies of responding to the pandemic have passed in response to a written question. Elsewhere landlords and agents have been advised to be ‘considerate of renters affected by Covid-19 when preparing tenant references and the Government has published full guidance on plans to allow students to go home for Christmas.
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Renters Reform Bill to move forward ‘in a considered manner’
Sarah Olney MP (Liberal Democrat, Richmond Park) has received a response to her written question asking if MHCLG make it policy to ban section 21 orders to end no fault evictions.
Housing Minister, Christopher Pincher MP, responded: “The Government is committed to abolishing Section 21 through a Renters’ Reform Bill, which will enhance renters’ security and improve protections for tenants.
“Repealing Section 21 represents the largest change to renting in 30 years and it is only right that the reforms are taken forward in a considered manner.
“It is important that providing tenants with greater security of tenure is balanced with an assurance that landlords are able to recover their properties where they have valid reasons to do so. This is vital to ensuring the future supply of good quality housing in the rented sector.
“We will bring forward the Renters’ Reform Bill in due course once the urgencies of responding to the pandemic have passed.”
Sarah Olney MP has also received a response to her written question asking what assessment MHCLG has made of the potential merits of reinstating the ban on rental evictions in the context of the covid-19 lockdown.
The Housing Minister replied: “Following the stay of possessions that ended on 20 September, housing possession claims are able to be actioned through the courts, but evictions will not be enforced apart from in the most serious cases.
“The Government believes this strikes the right balance between prioritising public health and supporting the most vulnerable renters, whilst ensuring landlords can access and exercise their right to justice.”
He went on to outline again the protections that have been put in place for tenants, along with the financial support available to them. The full response can be accessed here.
Landlord and agents told to be ‘considerate’ in tenant referencing
Vicky Foxcroft MP (Labour, Lewisham Deptford) has received a response to her written question asking what steps MHCLG is taking to protect the right to a fair reference for tenants in rented accommodation.
The Housing Minister responded: “The reference process is a private matter between the parties involved and not something it would be appropriate for the Government to intervene in.
“Landlords and letting agents may wish to obtain references from their prospective tenant’s former landlords or letting agent but cannot charge the tenant a fee for this process.
“As part of the referencing process, landlords may take into account various factors when deciding whether to let to a tenant, including previous or outstanding rent arrears. Where these factors have been adversely affected by circumstances arising from the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, we would encourage landlords and letting agents to be considerate of this when deciding whether to accept or recommend such tenants. When completing the referencing process, both the previous landlord and prospective tenant should therefore provide any necessary contextual information to aid these considerations. For example, this could include details of any voluntary arrangements or payment holidays which were agreed.”
Vicky Foxcroft MP has also received a response to her written question asking what steps MHCLG is taking to support shielding tenants in private rented accommodation whose landlord requests that a third party access their property at short notice.
The Housing Minister responded: “Tenants have a right to the quiet enjoyment of their property and must be given at least 24 hours’ notice of any visit to the property. If a tenant is self-isolating, no work should be carried out in their home unless it is to remedy a direct risk that affects their safety or the safety of their household.
“Landlords of clinically extremely vulnerable people can carry out routine repairs and inspections, provided the latest guidance on social distancing, working safely in people’s homes and guidance for clinically extremely vulnerable individuals is followed.
“It remains a crime for a landlord to harass a tenant. Tenants who are concerned should contact their local authority or the police.”
Government publishes full guidance to allow students home for Christmas
The Government’s formal guidance to support students to return home for Christmas has now been published.
Under the plans:
- Students in England will be required to follow the current national restrictions in place until 2nd December, completing this four-week period in their term-time accommodation.
- From 3rd December to 9th December, which will be known as the ‘student travel window’, students will be allowed to travel home on staggered departure dates set by universities, who will work with other institutions in the region to manage pressure on transport infrastructure. The student travel window will mean students can travel having just completed the four-week period of national restrictions, reducing the risk of transmission to family and friends at home.
- Universities should move learning online by 9th December so students can continue their education while also having the option to return home to study from there.
- The Government will also work closely with universities to establish mass testing capacity. Tests will be offered to as many students as possible before they travel home for Christmas, with universities in areas of high prevalence prioritised.
- If a student tests positive before their departure they will need to remain in self-isolation for the required period of ten days. Moving all learning online by 9th December gives enough time for students to complete the isolation period and return home for Christmas.
The full guidance is available here.
