The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has issued a reprimand to a local authority in respect of a breach of Article 5(1)(f) of the UK General Data Protection Regulation. The local authority had included a spreadsheet in its response to a Freedom of...
In 2019, a controversial bill known as the Renters (Reform) Bill (“RRB”) was proposed by the Conservative Party under then Prime Minister, Teresa May.
The purpose of this proposed legislation was to reform the private rented sector and ‘level up’ housing quality. The bill included banning 'no fault' Section 21 evictions, changing legislation for pets in lets and introducing a property portal and an ombudsman.
As with many potential changes in legislation, the RRB has been met with both support and opposition.
In 2023, the RRB was formally introduced into Parliament for a First Reading, and continued through the process relatively successfully, albeit controversially.
However, on 24 May 2024 the RRB was abandoned in the run up to the general election on 4 July 2024. The decision was made after Parliament decided that the delays which the RRB had experienced meant that it was not sufficiently advanced to receive Royal Assent before the general election.
Therefore, the RRB, in its current form, will not now become law. If the next government wants to consider making such reforms again, they would need to start again with new legislation.
This news has deeply upset many, particularly in relation to the failed abolition of “no fault” evictions. Official figures published by the Ministry of Justice in May 2024 showed a six-year high in repossessions by bailiffs, through “no fault evictions, with 2,682 such repossessions taking place between January and March this year.
One of the main voices supporting the RRB since its introduction has been housing charity, Shelter. Polly Neate, Chief Executive of the charity, reacted to the shelving of the RRB on 24 May 2024 by stating that renters have been “failed” and that they have been “shouting from the rooftops” about the urgent need for reform”.
For now, the current laws governing eviction within the private rented sector remain unchanged. However, with a general election on the horizon, the future is unknown.
If you are a landlord wanting to regain possession of your property, please do not hesitate to call one of our specialist solicitors for a free, no obligation discussion on 0121 255 0011.
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