Renters Reform Bill - Agents urged to lobby MPs with amendments

A prominent industry supplier is urging agents and landlords to lobby MPs to suggest improvements to the Renters Reform Bill. 

PayProp UK says informed comments may bring about some last-minute changes if the Bill is enacted soon – or may influence its ongoing direction under a new government.

As the Renters (Reform) Bill currently stands, it is viewed negatively by 62.1 per cent of respondents to a PayProp survey with just 4.4 per cent feeling positive. 

Almost all respondents - 96.2 per cent - believed the Bill would cause more landlords to exit the market while 94 per cent thought that fewer properties would be available, resulting in higher rents for tenants.

Managing director Neil Cobbold says: “While tenant lobby groups and landlord representatives have been vocal about the wide-ranging impact of these reforms, one group that will be significantly affected by the changes have yet to be comprehensively consulted by government  – lettings professionals.

“We know how valuable their feedback will be to getting these reforms right, so we put together this survey and report to give them the opportunity to voice their feelings on the proposed changes.”

PayProp surveyed a diverse range of lettings professionals including agents, owners and administrators, most of whom manage hundreds of properties.

Lettings professionals were strongly opposed to the most talked about reform – the abolition of Section 21 evictions, with 78.1 per cent opposed to the measure and just 5.5 per cent in favour. 

The proposal to end fixed-term tenancies in favour of periodic tenancies was greeted coolly, with 75.8 per cent expressing negative views and a mere 8.2 per cent reacting positively.

There was a warmer welcome for the Government’s plan to broaden the scope of Section 8 evictions, with 69.8 per cent broadly in favour, but agents were divided on giving tenants the right to appeal rent increases. 

Agents were also narrowly in favour of the move to create a new private sector ombudsman but almost half opposed another reform – to make it easier for tenants to keep pets.

Cobbold says: “Our survey has revealed the strength of feeling in the industry surrounding the Renters Reform Bill, and it’s clear that agents across England want to see change.

“The government needs to urgently consult with lettings professionals to ensure these reforms are practical and workable for all. 

“Meanwhile, there are steps letting agents can take to ensure their voice is heard: send our survey report to your local MP, explain the issues that your agencies, landlords and tenants will face if the Bill becomes law, and give your MP the information they need to make the right decisions for the industry as the Bill comes back to parliament for scrutiny and amendments.”