Renters Reform Bill to move forward toward Royal Assent

The Renters (Reform) Bill is gearing up for its next big moment in Parliament, scheduled for Wednesday 24th April.

So, what's in store? Well, the bill will be moving on to its report stage and third reading. This is where any last-minute tweaks can be made before it heads over to the Lords for a thorough check. Last week, the Tory party’s 1922 Committee gave the thumbs up, so it's all systems go!

Why all the fuss? Well, the Renters (Reform) Bill is a big deal. It's all about making the rental game fairer for both tenants and landlords by waving goodbye to Section 21 evictions.The Department for Levelling Up, Housing, and Communities (DLUHC) is all in, saying, “This Bill will abolish Section 21 evictions and deliver a fairer rented sector for tenants and landlords.” But, there's a catch. The Government needs to hustle because the summer recess is looming, and there's talk of a General Election later this year. The pressure's on for ministers, especially junior housing minister Jacob Young. Everyone's pushing for progress, from agents to housing campaigners. However, there are some bumps in the road. Around 50 Tory MPs aren't quite on board yet. They're asking for a few tweaks, like delaying the ban on Section 21 evictions until the courts can handle things faster. They also want to scrap selective licensing once the Property Portal, which will register all landlords and properties, kicks into gear. They're also suggesting that tenants remain in the property for at least six months after their current lease ends. It's all about making sure everyone's on the same page.

So, there you have it! The Renters (Reform) Bill is moving forward, but there's still some negotiating to do. Stay tuned for more updates!