Lisa Nandy comments on the introduction of the Renter’s Reform Bill

Lisa Nandy MP, Shadow Housing Secretary, responding to the introduction of the Renter’s Reform Bill, said:

“The government first promised reform for tenants in the private rented sector over four years ago. But after years of delay, broken promises and arguments amongst themselves, the private rented sector increasingly resembles the wild west and it’s far from clear that this government can deliver.

“Labour’s Renters’ Charter will take real action to make renting fairer, more secure and more affordable. If the government hasn’t finally delivered on the long overdue abolition of ‘no fault’ evictions, Labour will.

“We will also introduce a four-month notice period for landlords, a national register of landlords, and a host of new rights for tenants – including the right to make alterations to your home, to request speedy repairs, and to have pets.”

Ends

Notes

• The government first promised a “package of government reforms aimed at rebalancing the relationship between tenants and landlords” in April 2019: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-announces-end-to-unfair-evictions 
• The Renters’ Reform Bill was included in the Queen’s Speech in 2019: https://lordslibrary.parliament.uk/queens-speech-2022-levelling-up-housing-and-communities/#:~:text=Renters'%20Reform%20Bill,-In%20its%202019&text=In%20the%20Queen's%20Speech%20that,and%20more%20effective%20rental%20market%E2%80%9D. 
• Since April 2019 – when the government first promised renters reform, including a ban on Section 21 evictions – there have been 54,021 claims for such ‘no fault’ evictions. That’s an average of 1,200 per month or 40 per day between then and the end of 2022, when the latest figures end. Source: Ministry of Justice, Mortgage and Landlord Possession statistics: October to December 2022