The Renters’ Rights Bill will reach its crucial Report Stage and Third Reading in the House of Lords on 1 July, paving the way for it to return to the House of Commons. With broad cross-party support and few major disagreements between MPs and peers, the Bill is expected to receive Royal Assent and become law before Parliament’s summer recess on 22 July.

Even after it becomes law, we will need to see the timetable for enactment to see the impact on landlords.

What the Renters’ Rights Bill Includes:

The Bill represents a major reform of the private rented sector in England, aimed at enhancing tenant protections and introducing tighter standards for landlords:

✅ Key Measures in the Bill:

• Abolition of Section 21 (“no fault”) evictions
  Landlords will only be able to evict tenants with a valid reason (e.g. rent arrears or breach of tenancy).

• Periodic tenancies for all
  Fixed-term contracts will end, replaced by periodic tenancies. Tenants can leave with two months’ notice.

• Tighter controls on rent increases
  Limited to once per year, with two months’ notice and a requirement to justify the increase.

• Ban on ‘bidding wars’
  Landlords and agents may not encourage or accept offers above the advertised rent.

• Decent Homes Standard (DHS)
  Introduced to the private sector, mandating minimum property conditions.

• Extension of Awaab’s Law
  Landlords must fix serious hazards (e.g. damp, mould) within fixed timeframes.

• New PRS Ombudsman
  A national ombudsman will handle disputes between tenants and landlords.

• Compulsory landlord/property database
  All landlords must register themselves and their properties.

• Anti-discrimination protections
  Landlords and agents cannot discriminate against tenants on benefits or with children.

• Pet ownership rights
  Tenants will have the right to request pets, and landlords must not unreasonably refuse.