New legislation will help reduce homelessness
In November, a committee of MPs concluded its line-by-line consideration of the Renters’ Rights Bill and will report back to the House of Commons shortly, giving all MPs the chance to debate this legislation.
The LGA has welcomed the bill, which aims to create a fairer, more secure, and higher-quality private rented sector for tenants and landlords alike.
Its measures include: abolishing unfair Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions; ending the system of assured shorthold tenancies; establishing a register of private rented-sector landlords, alongside a property portal, to drive up standards; and creating an ombudsman to resolve disputes between tenants and landlords.
During the last Parliament, the LGA raised strong concerns about delays and the removal of key measures from the previous government’s Renters’ (Reform) Bill.
Most notably, we opposed a commencement clause that could indefinitely delay the ban on Section 21 evictions, the leading cause of homelessness presentations to local authorities and a key driver of the temporary accommodation crisis.
Since then, the LGA has lobbied extensively for meaningful reform, ensuring that the Renters’ Rights Bill strikes the right balance between the rights of tenants and landlords.
We have engaged with government ministers, MPs and Peers, and collaborated with organisations such as Shelter, Generation Rent, and Crisis.
This has included direct discussions with Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook MP, participation in ministerial roundtables, submitting written evidence to public bill committees, and briefing LGA witnesses to deliver oral evidence.
We have also coordinated briefings for parliamentarians, and regularly updated councils on the bill’s progress and its potential impact.
In October, Cllr Adam Hug, Chair of the LGA’s Local Infrastructure and Net Zero Board, gave oral evidence to the public bill committee, ensuring councils’ concerns were clearly articulated.
This, alongside sustained lobbying, has helped secure significant amendments to the bill, which now incorporates nearly all of the LGA’s priorities.
The updated bill delivers a definitive end to Section 21 evictions, providing much-needed protection for tenants and addressing a major cause of homelessness.
It also introduces safeguards against above-market rent increases and backdoor evictions.
By applying the Decent Homes Standard and Awaab’s Law to the private rented sector, the bill ensures higher property standards and greater tenant safety.
Additionally, it bans discrimination against tenants in receipt of benefits or with children, which will assist councils in supporting vulnerable residents.
Crucially, the bill enhances enforcement powers for councils by expanding the use of rent repayment orders, giving local authorities more tools to tackle non-compliant landlords effectively.
These measures represent a significant step forward in empowering councils to address challenges in the private rented sector, reduce homelessness, and protect tenants.
The LGA remains committed to lobbying government and working with MPs across both Houses of Parliament to ensure the successful implementation of these much-needed reforms.
- Find out more about the LGA’s parliamentary work.