Third Reading: Renters' Rights Bill leaves the Lords
The Renters' Rights Bill has completed its scrutiny in the House of Lords just in time for summer recess. But while Westminster winds down, we're stepping up our efforts to ensure that the key wins secured so far aren't lost when the Bill returns to the Commons in September. Mia Rotaru, NRLA Public Affairs Officer, takes a closer look at what happened and what comes next.
Third Reading marks the final stage of debate for a bill in each House of Parliament. At this point, no further amendments are made unless technical corrections are required, and it’s the last opportunity for members to either pass or reject the Bill in its entirety.
During the final debate, two minor amendments were accepted, ‘tidying up’ previously agreed changes on pet damage insurance.
However, concerns were raised from the opposition benches, with Shadow Housing Minister in the Lords, Baroness Scott, arguing that the Bill could have unintended consequences, particularly on rental supply, warning that it might drive some landlords out of the market.
This is a concern the NRLA has consistently highlighted to the Government.
Baroness Thornhill voiced frustration that discussions often seemed to pit tenants against landlords, rather than seeking balanced solutions, failing to address issues such as court capacity, the impact on student housing, and broader effects that the Bill will have on the rental market.
Baroness Thornhill acknowledged the contribution of our evidence, remarking: “For me, it was challenging to read [the NRLA’s] excellent briefings as they set persuasive arguments against my own.”
What’s next for the Bill?
Parliament has now entered its summer recess, meaning the Bill will not progress further until early September, when it returns for consideration by the House of Commons.
Only changes made by the Lords are considered at this stage, not the Bill in its entirety, and if the changes are not accepted the Bill will ‘bounce’ between the Houses until an agreement is reached.
Unless the Government supports the non-government amendments agreed in the Lords, these are likely to be rejected during this stage.
So, we will keep the pressure up to ensure that key wins secured so far – for example, on the student ground for possession (Ground 4A) and pet damage deposit –are not lost.
Our work will not pause during the summer.
We will keep campaigning and engaging with parliamentarians to ensure that the amendments secured during the Report Stage so far remain part of the Bill.
More information
- To learn more about our work on campaigning for a Government review of the Bill, click here.
- Extra dates have been added for our new Renters’ Rights course, after training sessions sold out in record time. For more information and to book click here.
- To read about the wins achieved at Report stage, click here.
