On behalf of its membership, the cross-party LGA regularly submits to Government
consultations, briefs parliamentarians and responds to a wide range of parliamentary inquiries. Our recent
responses to government consultations and parliamentary briefings can be found here.
The LGA welcomes the long-awaited Renters’ Reform Bill which will help to deliver a fairer, more secure, and higher quality private rented sector (PRS). The Bill introduces a range of reforms to achieve this, including abolishing unfair Section 21 “no fault” evictions; ending the system of assured shorthold tenancies; creating a new register of PRS landlords and property portal to improve data on the PRS and drive up standards across the sector; and establishing an Ombudsman for the PRS to help tenants and landlords to resolve disputes.
The LGA is concerned that a number of amendments to the Renters Reform Bill could weaken key measures, including the ban on ‘no fault’ evictions, the redress scheme and essential enforcement measures. We urge the Government to make progress with the Bill and bring an urgent end to Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions.
The Renters (Reform) Bill is a flagship piece of legislation introduced by Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Secretary Michael Gove to deliver on the Government’s 2019 manifesto pledge to reform the private rented sector (PRS).
The LGA welcomes the long-awaited Renters’ Reform Bill which introduces a range of reforms to achieve this, including abolishing unfair Section 21 'no fault' evictions; ending the system of assured shorthold tenancies; creating a new register of PRS landlords and property portal to improve data on the PRS and drive up standards across the sector; and establishing an Ombudsman for the PRS to help tenants and landlords to resolve disputes.
This briefing provides the LGA view on relevant amendments tabled for the Committee Stage amendments on the Renters' Reform Bill, heard on 17 November 2023.
Councils have welcomed the £3.2 million worth of additional funding to support rough sleepers, as well as the £3.2 billion to help councils through this period. However, they need a commitment that the extraordinary costs incurred by all services to date – as well as the costs from delivering “business as usual” services with reduced income flows – will be met. Without this, the sustainability of council services, including homeless services, will be jeopardised in the short and medium-term.