Key Concerns Over the Bill

As the House of Lords Second Reading of the Renters’ Rights Bill approaches, Propertymark warns that without significant changes, the legislation will drive up rents and further restrict access to rental housing.

Main Issues Identified:

• Rent in advance limits: Restrictions could make it harder for tenants to secure properties, particularly students.
• Short-term lets: Unclear how the government plans to regulate the sector and ensure a level playing field for landlords.
• Court backlogs: No clear resourcing plan to handle increased demand from tenancy disputes.
• Local council enforcement: Capacity issues could weaken effective regulation.
• Implementation uncertainty: Lack of a clear timeline creates confusion for landlords, agents, and tenants.

Industry Reaction

Timothy Douglas, Head of Policy & Campaigns at Propertymark:

• Warns that overly restrictive regulations could reduce rental supply and increase rents.
• Calls for court reform clarity, particularly regarding tenancy disputes.
• Urges the government to revise rent-in-advance rules to protect vulnerable tenants while ensuring secure tenancy agreements.
• Recommends extending deposit cap requirements instead of relying on pet insurance products.
• Suggests a code of practice to standardise landlord redress schemes and improve enforcement consistency.

Next Steps

With over 200 emails and letters sent to Peers, Propertymark is pushing for critical amendments to avoid unintended consequences that could harm both landlords and tenants.