Landlords will be bracing themselves for next week’s publication of the long-awaited Renters’ Reform Bill.
Michael Gove MP made the announcement on Sky News on Thursday, May 4 the Bill and its contents would finally be published next week – a year since the government published its White Paper on Rental Reform.
The White Paper, published in June last year, outlined proposals to be included in the Bill. These included the abolition of Section 21 eviction powers for landlords, strengthening of Section 8 eviction powers, a mandatory landlord register, the introduction of a Decent Homes Standard for the private rental sector and new EPC regulations.
The details of the Bill will reveal which of these measures, if any, will be adopted.
There has been plenty of criticism of the plans particularly the ending of Section 21 eviction powers and the new EPC regulations which could require landlords to ensure their rental properties achieve a rating of C or above.
Sheldon Bosley Knight’s associate director, Nik Kyriacou said: “While we are glad there is some clarity about when the Bill will be published, landlords are understandably anxious about the content.
“We hope the government has listened to all of those within the sector who are at the coal face and affected by these proposals. We need a private rental sector which is fair for all.
“More importantly we need to incentivise more buy-to-let investors to enter the market and in turn this will provide more rental stock. Until the government gets to grips with that issue, I fear the rest of it is not really going to provide the reassurances our landlords are looking for.”