In this special episode of Good Landlording, Suzanne Smith and Richard Jackson discuss how recent government amendments to the Renters Reform Bill kick the implementation of some unpopular provisions for existing tenancies into the long grass, and some welcome amendments. They include changing the way the abolition of Section 21 will come into force for existing tenancies. The government introduced these amendments to address "concerns" of some Conservative MPs about the Renters Reform Bill, and the amendments will be debated in the House of Commons during the Report Stage of the Renters Reform Bill on 24 April 2024. As well as delaying the implementation of some of the parts of the Bill that have been unpopular with many Conservative MPs, there are some less controversial but nevertheless important amendments. Richard and Suzanne explain which parts of the Renters Reform Bill the government is planning to delay, and the practical impact on landlords of the key government amendments. Suzanne and Richard have since recorded another special episode, RRB #2: Why Renter Reforms might start in May 2025, which has detailed information on the expected implementation of the key parts of the Bill, with examples. What we cover in this Renters Reform Bill special episode1. Lord Chancellor’s assessment to determine implementation of Renters Reform Bill for existing tenanciesWhat is the Lord Chancellor's assessment?Who is the Lord Chancellor?Which parts of the Renters Reform Bill will be subject to the Lord Chancellor's assessment?Which parts of the Renters Reform Bill be subject to the Lord Chancellor's assessment?How long might the Lord Chancellor's assessment of the county court process take?2. Minimum tenancy to be six months3. Widened scope for Mandatory Ground 4A for student tenancies4. Changes to Rent Repayment Orders5. Change to Grounds 1 and 1A for landlords selling up or moving in6. Local authorities' "prevention of homeless duty" to start earlierFinal thoughtsCredits Parts the Renters Reform Bill have been kicked into the long grass >> Submit a question: Click here for question form 1. Lord Chancellor’s assessment to determine implementation of Renters Reform Bill for existing tenancies It has been known for some time that some Conservative MPs were not happy with aspects of the Renters Reform Bill. This led to the progress of the Renters Reform Bill through the House of Commons being delayed for 5 months after the Committee Stage at the end of November 2023. It had been widely signalled by the government that the abolition of Section 21 would be made subject to improvements in the court system for possession orders. What had not been expected is that the implementation of other provisions in the Bill would also be made subject to improvements in the court system insofar as they relate to existing tenancies. (Note that new tenancies will not be delayed beyond the usual six month implementation period.) This creates a two-track Renters Reform Bill with key parts of the Bill being delayed for existing tenancies until the Lord Chancellor publishes the assessment, with the rules for new tenancies and other parts coming into force earlier. >> Related episode: RRB #2 - Why Renter Reforms might start in May 2025 What is the Lord Chancellor's assessment? The government proposes delaying the implementation of Chapter 1 of Part 1 of the Bill for existing tenancies until the Lord Chancellor has published an assessment to the effect that landlords are both able to get orders for possession from the county court when they apply, and they can get those orders enforced by bailiffs. In other words, the backlogs in the county courts and with bailiffs need to be cleared, and the county courts need to be functioning efficiently. It will be for the Lord Chancellor, a political appointee, to publish the assessment at such time, and in such manner, as they think appropriate.
