A major agency has told the government to get on with ensuring the Renters Reform Bill is passed into law as soon as possible.

A after a lengthy delay, and with a series of amendments to be debated, the Bill returns to the House of Commons on Wednesday this week; if passed by MPs, it then goes to the House of Lords. 

Beverley Kennard, head of lettings operations at Knight Frank, comments: “These welcome amendments to the Renters (Reform) Bill will provide more security to landlords and tenants. The abolishment of Section 21 evictions will make the system clearer for renters, as landlords will be required to give an acceptable reason for evictions, based on evidentiary grounds – for example rent arrears or moving back into the property.

“Renters will also be required to live in a property for a minimum of four months before they can give notice to end their tenancy, a change that will be wholly welcomed by landlords, who have been very concerned about the potential implications of unintentionally renting their property as a short let, and the costs of repeatedly letting it out.  

“We urge the Government to pass the Bill promptly. Implementing these changes and striking the right balance between landlords and tenants’ needs will ultimately bring more confidence and clarity to our vitally important rental market.”

The amendments are, in summary:

– Accepting a proposal by the cross-party housing select committee that when fixed term tenancy agreements end, “tenants be unable to give two months’ notice to leave until they have been in a property for at least four months”;

– Reviewing the operation of the courts before ending section 21 for existing tenancies to ensure the justice system can cope with the increased workload;

– Ensuring all types of student housing, including one and two bed properties, are covered by the planned ground for possession to protect the annual cycle of the student housing market. This will ensure landlords can guarantee to prospective students that properties will be available to rent from the start of each academic year;

– Reviewing the need for local authority licensing schemes in light of the proposed property portal, an idea contained in the original Renters Reform Bill.