Renters Rights Bill

What is the Renters Rights Bill?

The Renters Rights Bill (“RRB”) is the biggest change to the lettings sector in 30 years. 

The three main political parties all campaigned on a manifesto which included a commitment to pass RRB. Landlords may remember the previous government’s Renters Reform Bill that did not quite manage to pass into law; RRB has taken around 95% of what was in the old Bill, with some minor changes.

What does No More Fixed-Term Tenancies mean

Traditionally landlords and tenants will sign a tenancy which has a fixed end date, usually 6 or 12 months. This fixed term gives both parties peace of mind that the tenant wont leave and the landlord wont evict before that fixed term is over.

Under the Renters Rights Bill, all tenancies will run month to month and will not have a fixed end date. This will remove the peace of mind provided by the fixed terms

Contracts that are fixed term at the point the RRB comes into force will automatically become periodic.

Can I still evict a tenant
Yes, landlords will still be able to evict tenants if they need to. Whether the tenant has breached the terms of the contract, for example not paying rent, or if the landlords needs the property back to live in or sell

Do I have to allow pets
No, although the Renters Rights Bill doesn't allow landlords to have a blanket ban on pets, tenants will have to request a pet in writing and the landlord can reasonably refuse. Examples of this would be: Superior lease forbids pets or the property isn't suitable for the type of pet 

I have issued s21, can i still use this when RRB comes in
Section 21s issued before the RRB comes into force will still be valid, although you will have a shorter window to apply to court. Any court application that is submitted before RRB will carry on as normal

Do I still have to give the tenant all the compliance documents
Yes, all the compliance documents that are currently linked to a valid s21 will still be required and will then validate a s8 notice 

Do i have to join the new landlord database
Yes, all landlords must be on the database even if they use an agent. You will not be bale to advertise a property for rent nor enter into a tenancy if you are not on the database