Landlords urged to seek rental reform positives

THE Renters’ Rights Bill, brought forward with the noble aspiration to reform the rental market for the better, has produced some lurid predictions.

- Rob Kenyon

Negative comments such as:

“Catastrophic ~ both for landlords and tenants. Landlords will apply much stricter criteria in choosing tenants, meaning many people may lose access to rental properties altogether”

“Landlords have become sick and tired of this on-going war against them, and this may be a final straw, with many selling up and getting out”

Other sector watchers are taking a more sanguine approach, urging against panic responses - the shake-up is expected to take effect this autumn.

LettingaProperty.com states: “Change can be challenging, but with early preparation and the right support, landlords can adapt to the new regulations effectively.”

Perhaps the biggest change is the abolition of so-called “no-fault” evictions. Landlords will no longer be able to end tenancies without providing a valid, legally defined reason, such as rent arrears, anti-social behaviour, or a desire to sell the property.

‘The legislation introduces a single system of periodic tenancies, removing fixed-term contracts. Tenants can give two months’ notice to leave at any time.