The campaign group Generation Rent is calling on the Government to bring the Renters’ Rights Bill into force as soon as possible once it receives Royal Assent — which could happen as early as next week.

After Royal Assent, ministers are expected to announce implementation dates, either in stages or for the Bill as a whole. Trade bodies and professional associations have urged the Government to allow at least six months for the sector to adapt, warning that many measures will also require secondary legislation, likely extending the timetable.

However, Generation Rent is pressing for immediate implementation, warning that tenants should not face further delays to long-promised reforms.

Earlier this week, members of the House of Lords rejected several amendments that peers had argued would make the Bill more balanced. Among the proposals voted down were:

• Reducing the “no re-let” period from 12 months to six after a landlord evicts a tenant in order to sell the property — meaning landlords will still face a full-year ban on re-letting in such cases.
• Extending student possession grounds to cover one- and two-bedroom properties, which critics said could have placed postgraduate and mature students at greater risk of eviction at the end of the academic year.
• Allowing landlords to request an additional pet deposit, above the existing five weeks’ rent cap.
• Creating a new possession ground for landlords wishing to house a carer, which peers said could be open to abuse.

The Bill will now return to the House of Commons on Wednesday, October 22nd, for what is expected to be a short final debate before it receives Royal Assent and becomes law.