On 22 April 2025, the House of Lords commenced the Committee Stage of the Renters’ Rights Bill, marking a pivotal moment in the UK’s efforts to reform the private rental sector. This stage involves a detailed, line-by-line examination of the Bill.
The initial day of the Committee Stage saw discussions on several significant amendments, a couple of the most notable being:
– Amendment 8: This amendment suggested exempting landlords owning fewer than five properties from the abolition of Section 21 “no-fault” evictions, sparking debate over balancing tenant protections with the concerns of small-scale landlords
– Amendment 40: Focusing on student housing, this amendment proposed that smaller student accommodations (one- or two-bedroom properties) be exempt from certain provisions, acknowledging their unique rental cycles.
Peers also deliberated on the readiness of the court system to handle changes in eviction processes, the potential impact of the Bill on the rental market, and the balance between tenant protections and landlord rights.
The Renters’ Rights Bill is scheduled for further scrutiny in the House of Lords, with additional Committee Stage sessions planned during April and May.
Following the Committee Stage, the Bill will proceed to the Report Stage, where further amendments can be made. Subsequently, it will undergo the Third Reading. If the House of Lords makes amendments to the Bill, it will return to the House of Commons for consideration of those changes.
Key Dates Ahead:
– 24 April 2025: Next Committee Stage session in the House of Lords
– April 28, May 6, 12, and 14, 2025: Subsequent Committee Stage sessions.
– Post-Committee Stage: Report Stage and Third Reading in the House of Lords.
– Summer 2025: Expected Royal Assent and enactment of the Bill.
