No date has been set by government for the second reading of the Renters’ Reform Bill 2019-20.

The Bill was announced in the Queen’s Speech on December 19.

In addition to abolishing so-called ‘no fault’ Section 21 evictions the Bill will also give landlords the right to gain possession of their property through the courts “where there is a legitimate need”.

The Bill will also pledge wider access to the rogue landlord and estate and letting agent database, and create a portable ‘lifetime deposit’ scheme for tenants to allow mobility within the rental sector.

There is also mention of introducing minimum qualifications for the sector by stating the legislation will “professionalise letting agents, to the benefit of tenants and landlords”.

However a statement from the House of Commons issued just before Christmas confirmed that no date had been given by the government for its second reading.

Progress on the measure is likely to take some time if the Tenant Fees Act is an indicator – that was first mentioned in November 2016 but only came into force in June 2019.