Every eight minutes in England, a tenant is told to leave their home by their landlord.
But a new bill – the Renters Reform Bill – is progressing through Parliament and it means the rental sector faces major changes in the long term and short term.
While the changes are not in force, they seem to be already causing a shake-up.
No fault evictions
The Renters Reform Bill’s headlining alteration to the rental sector is the abolishment of the section 21 no fault eviction notice.
Shelter has highlighted the repercussions the proposed bill may be having on the rental sector, and on the frequency of no fault eviction notices.
The survey found that every day in England, 172 no fault eviction notices were served.
It may be attributed to the recent first reading at Parliament for the Renters Reform Bill held recently in May.
Even so, the strive to make the rental sector fairer could be potentially being strained due to the lengthy delays in the inauguration of the Bill.
How does it affect landlords?
To provide a balance for the abolishment of no fault evictions, the bill looks to reform grounds for possession available to landlords.
Notably, this has been done through the integration of further mandatory grounds; which a tenant can’t oppose should the matter progress to a formal court hearing.
The most notable changes to the grounds for possession are if the landlord intends to move themselves or a close family member into the property, or if the landlord is looking to sell the rented property.
Both these grounds carry a two-month notice period.
Other grounds include mandatory grounds for properties used for student accommodation, mortgage repossessions, serious and repeated rent arrears, and various other circumstances which have been covered under this reform.
When is this change happening?
These changes are not in force yet, and there has been no dates set.
The bill is currently progressing through the House of Commons. However, the inevitable change has already afforded difficulties to landlords and tenants prior to its integration by potentially influencing the surge in eviction notices being served on tenants nationally.
How can we help?
If you are a landlord or tenant who would like more information on this new bill and its proposed changes to the eviction process, please do contact our legal team.
Email us at [email protected] or call 01228 522215.
