The National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) is calling for the government to back “pragmatic” amendments to the Renters Reform Bill, including publishing a report on the operation of possession proceedings in the courts prior to Section 21 being abolished.
The NRLA has given its backing to number of amendments, which were tabled at the report stage of the bill.
The first includes tenants being unable to give notice to leave a property until they have been in it for at least four months when fixed term tenancies end.
Another amendment is to allow evidence such as texts or emails from neighbours to be taken into account by courts when deciding if a tenant has committed anti-social behaviour.
The bill should also address concerns that courts are not prepared for the impact of Section 21 notices being removed so the government should publish a review of the operation of possession proceeding in the courts before it is abolished.
The use of landlord selective licensing schemes by councils when the national property portal is established should be ended to “prevent a costly duplication of efforts”.
The proposed ground for possession should be extended to one and two-bedroom student properties to “protect the annual cycle of all types of student housing”.
NRLA: Striking a balance between renters and landlords
Ben Beadle (pictured), chief executive of the NRLA, said: “We accept that Section 21 is going and agree that tenants need to feel empowered to challenge the actions of rogue and criminal landlords. However, amidst a supply crisis in the rental market, it is vital that the Bill has the confidence of responsible landlords.
“These pragmatic changes would go a long way towards striking the balance between the needs of renters and the majority of landlords who do right by their tenants”.
Anna is currently the deputy editor for Mortgage Solutions and editor for Specialist Lending Solutions. She has worked as a journalist since 2019, having secured her Gold Standard NCTJ diploma from News Associates in a fast-track six-month course.
She started her career as a report at specialist publication The Insurance Insider covering a wide range of areas before joining Mortgage Solutions and Specialist Lending Solutions in 2021.
In her role, she helps put together and structure the news agenda for the day and writes up press releases, reports, interviews, analyses and exclusives across both titles. She also commissions blogs for Specialist Lending Solutions and hosts online masterclasses and in-person events across the business.
She has been shortlisted for three journalism awards, which include BIBA Journalist and Media Awards Scoop of Year Award in 2020, Headline Money Mortgage Journalist of the Year Award (B2B) in 2022 and 2023.
Prior to being a journalist, Anna worked in ecommerce across Snow + Rock, Cycle Surgery and Runners Need websites, and before that worked at specialist financial PR firm Rostrum.
In her spare time, Anna enjoys reading, seeing live music, and cooking for friends and family. When she gets a chance, she also enjoys hiking, skiing and indoor rock climbing.
