The UK government has proposed amendments to the Renters (Reform) Bill aimed at tackling rogue landlords, safeguarding vulnerable residents, and enhancing the quality and safety of rental homes for millions of tenants. These amendments, introduced today, seek to prohibit landlords and agents from implementing blanket bans on renting to individuals receiving benefits or with children, ensuring families are not discriminated against during the rental process.
Under the proposed changes, landlords will still have the right to conduct reference checks to ensure affordability and retain the final say in selecting tenants for their properties. These amendments will apply to England and Wales, with Scotland set to be included through a further amendment during the Report Stage.
In addition, the private rented sector will be subject to a Decent Homes Standard (DHS) for the first time. This standard will establish clear expectations for the quality of rented homes, ensuring they are safe, warm, and decent. Further consultation will be conducted to determine the specifics of the standard, with the goal of reducing non-decent homes by 50% by 2030.
Housing Secretary Michael Gove emphasised the importance of improving housing standards across the private rented sector. He stated, “Everyone deserves a home that is safe, warm, and decent. But far too many live in conditions that fall well below what is acceptable.” Gove highlighted that the reforms aim to address this issue, while also putting an end to discrimination against vulnerable individuals and families seeking rental accommodation.
To enforce these new standards, local authorities will be granted enhanced enforcement powers. Landlords will be required to make necessary improvements to their properties, with fines of up to £30,000 or banning orders imposed in severe cases. Additionally, tenants will have an extended period of up to 24 months to claim back rent through rent repayment orders, up from the previous 12 months.
The amendments will now proceed to the Committee stage for review in the House of Commons. These changes are seen as crucial steps toward establishing a fairer system for both tenants and landlords, providing clarity and enforceability to existing rules while supporting responsible landlords.
The broader reforms included in the Renters (Reform) Bill represent a significant transformation of housing laws, aimed at ensuring safer, fairer, and higher-quality homes for the 11 million tenants across England. The reforms include a ban on ‘no-fault’ evictions, granting tenants security and protection, as well as the right to request pet ownership and the establishment of a new Ombudsman to swiftly address issues between tenants and landlords.
