Renters' Rights Bill

The Government opened the debate by outlining the key provisions of the Renters' Rights Bill. The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Angela Rayner, argued that the bill would end the "cruel practice" of no-fault evictions, empower tenants to challenge unfair rent increases, and apply the decent homes standard to the private rented sector for the first time. She contended that this legislation was critical to ensuring everyone can aspire to a decent, affordable and safe home. In response, the shadow Secretary of State, Kemi Badenoch, tabled a reasoned amendment arguing that the bill would "reduce the supply of housing in the private rented sector." She claimed the Government was ignoring the risk of unintended consequences and warned that the legislation could lead to a shortage of rental properties. Badenoch asserted that the previous Conservative government's approach had been more balanced, despite their failure to deliver on their manifesto promises. The wide-ranging debate that followed saw contributions from MPs across the House. Many shared personal stories and case studies from their constituencies, highlighting issues such as no-fault evictions, poor housing conditions, and the impact of high rents on families. There was broad support for ending no-fault evictions and applying the decent homes standard, though some Conservative members expressed concerns about the potential impact on the rental market and the availability of student accommodation. Several speakers, including the Chair of the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee, called for stronger measures to tackle affordability, such as rent controls. The need to resource local authorities adequately to enforce the new regulations was also a recurring theme. The Minister for Housing and Planning acknowledged these concerns and committed to working with the Ministry of Justice to ensure the courts and tribunals are prepared for the changes. Overall, the debate demonstrated the significance of this legislation in addressing the challenges faced by millions of private renters across the country. While there were some areas of contention, particularly around the potential impact on the rental market, the Government appeared determined to push ahead with the bill's core reforms to improve security, standards and affordability in the private rented sector.