As announced in the King’s Speech today, "Legislation will be introduced to give greater rights and protections to people renting their homes, including ending no-fault evictions and reforming grounds for possession." Currently, Section 21 allows landlords to serve a no-fault eviction, enabling them to require tenants to vacate a property for any reason with two months' notice.
While it appears that the previously proposed Renters Reform Bill is to be renamed the Renters' Rights Bill following today's speech, it is highly anticipated that the majority of the changes in the original Renters Reform Bill will come into force shortly. These changes aim to improve the rights of tenants in the private rented sector, including the abolition of no-fault evictions, which seems to be the most significant change.
It is inevitable that this Bill will become law in the near future. Once it does, landlords will need to ensure they comply with the new rules and regulations to avoid penalties and enforcement action. Although not yet confirmed, there is high speculation following the government proposals that Section 21 notices could be abolished immediately. While we expect a transition period for new and existing tenancies, it is likely that the new rules will be applied retrospectively over time. Now is the time for landlords to seriously consider their positions and future plans.
Take a look at my previous blog, 'Renters Reform Bill - What is it and what does it mean for Landlords?' for more information.