Renters (Reform) Bill has now been published.

The full Bill can be seen here, and in summary:

• Section 21 will be abolished.
• End of Fixed Term tenancies, with Periodic only, i.e. there will be no more AST’s, only Assured Tenancies.
• Tenant can give two months’ notice, at any time.
• Section 8, Grounds 8;10; 11 notice period to be increased from 2 weeks to 4 weeks.
• It will be made make it illegal for landlords and agents to impose blanket bans on renting to benefit claimants or families with children.
• Applies “decent home” quality standards to the private rented sector for the first time.
• A new ombudsman will be established to oversee dispute resolutions.
• A digital “property portal” will be set up to assist property managers in understanding their obligations.
• Renters will also be given the legal right to request a pet in their home which landlords must consider and cannot unreasonably refuse.
• Rent increases only by use of a Section 13 notice.
• Landlords will have to belong to a Redress Scheme, and a decision to be treated as though a court order.
• Eviction under Section 8 to sell the rental property will be allowed.
• The grounds for eviction for Ant-Social Behaviour to be strengthened.

We will discuss this in a Zoom meeting Wednesday May 25th, from 2pm.  Details on the web

What happens next?

The Bill will now be debated in Parliament, both in the Commons and the Lords.  No dates have been set yet.

It is likely, but not guaranteed, that the whole process will take up to 12 months.  If so, it would become an Act next Spring.  But, being as a General Election is due, this timetable may be truncated.

Further news reports can be seen here:

• BBC News
• LBC News
• Sky News
• Metro
• The Independent
• Evening Standard
• The Times (subscription will be required)
• Daily Mirror
• Bloomberg (subscription will be required)