Renters' Rights Bill: Lords' amendments rejected

Peers have rejected three key amendments to the Renters’ Rights Bill, which will now be sent back to the Commons before heading for Royal Assent.

Proposals to extend the student possession ground to one and two-bedroom properties were rejected as well as proposed changes to the reletting after sale ground – which would have reduced the time landlords had to wait before reletting from a year to six months.

Another amendment to allow landlords to take a pet deposit was also vetoed, although there is still a glimmer of hope, as ministers say the issue will be kept under review and that the Tenant Fees Act could be modified if there is ‘clear evidence’ to warrant it. 

All three amendments had been re-tabled, having been rejected by the Commons in an earlier debate.

A further amendment – asking for the introduction of a new possession ground that would allow landlords to recover a property to house a carer was also rejected.

The Bill will now return to the Commons once more for approval before receiving Royal Assent – with a date expected to be confirmed in the coming days.

Once it has received Royal Assent it will move into law. 

This essentially means the Bill has been finalised - with any further detail as to what it will contain coming through secondary legislation after Royal Assent. 

What happens next?

After this all eyes will be on the Government to confirm an implementation date, at which point some of the provisions of the new Act, for example the transition to periodic tenancies and the loss of Section 21, will come into force. 

This date could be given at Royal Assent or deferred.

The Government has said it will give landlords sufficient time to prepare, but have remained tight-lipped on how long this will be.

Other elements, for example the introduction of a new landlord database and ombudsman service, are likely to be introduced later.  

We are continuing to press the Government to confirm its timetable for change, to allow you the time you need to prepare. 

More information

• With big changes coming and implementation dates uncertain, join the NRLA and guests including property guru Sarah Beeny at our annual Housing Conference where we’ll be exploring the ways in which you can best navigate what will be the biggest changes to private renting in decades.   

• Check out our Renters’ Rights Bill Hub for guidance on what you can do to prepare now.

• You can also join the thousands of landlords who have already taken our Renters’ Rights Bill training course. Click here for more information.