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Renters Reform Bill – just a delay or a major rethink?

The government has back-tracked on its decision to publish the long-awaited Renters Reform Bill this week.The Mirror newspaper reports that “procedural issues” have been blamed for the delay in introducing the Bill to Parliament.The Bill was first pledged by the Conservative administration back in 2019 and only last week Housing Secretary Michael Gove told Sky News that it would, at last, see the light of day this week, just days after the Coronation.

But the Mirror this morning reports: “The government had vowed to finally publish the Renters Reform Bill this week, more than four years after the Tories first promised to scrap no fault evictions. But the long-awaited overhaul has been postponed due to ‘procedural issues’.”Over the Bank Holiday weekend speculation was mounting that Tory backbenchers were unhappy with the pro-tenant, anti-landlord sentiment contained in the proposed legislation.Another newspaper – the online i – used unnamed sources and reported: “A group of Conservative backbenchers – some of whom are landlords and, according to Westminster sources, reportedly include the former chairman of national estate agency chain Hunters, Kevin Hollinrake – are unhappy about the pro-renter legislation and have been lobbying against it.”

Today’s Mirror – a Labour-supporting publication – also carries a pledge from shadow housing secretary Lisa Nandy to introduce more far reaching reforms of the private rental sector.

Nandy tells the paper: “Our message to the government is clear. So not backtrack on the promises you have made, do not drop any commitments, do not roll over to your backbenchers again.”

A Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities spokesman says: “We are absolutely committed to delivering a fairer deal for renters.

“We will bring forward legislation very shortly, which will include a ban on ‘no fault’ evictions, so that all tenants have greater security in their homes and are empowered to challenge poor conditions.

“We are also introducing a Decent Homes Standard for the Private Rented Sector for the first time ever which will make sure privately rented homes are safe and decent.”

Original Post from lettingagenttoday.co.uk