NRLA joins housing secretary at exclusive Renters’ Rights roundtable

NRLA chief executive Ben Beadle has called for a minimum six-month transition period for tenancy reform at an exclusive roundtable with housing secretary Steve Reed.

They were joined by housing minister Matthew Pennycook – who led the development of the Renters’ Rights Act – and a select group of representatives of other organisations representing landlords, tenants and agents, for in-depth discussions on how to implement the new Act.

Ben stressed six months is the absolute minimum amount of time landlords will need to prepare for change – not least as the Government has yet to provide wording for any of the new documentation landlords will need.

We expect an announcement on the timeline for implementation will come sooner rather than later.

Other key discussion topics included:

• Local authorities and their ability to administer their new responsibilities.
• Registration fees for the property portal
• Court waiting times

Ben said: “This was a very constructive meeting with a select group of stakeholders.

“We now need to provide solid evidence as to why a minimum of six months is vital to allow landlords to prepare.

“The clock is already ticking, even though, as yet, we have no information as to which elements of the Act will be introduced first.

“We will then face another wait for the secondary legislation needed to confirm the wording of new tenancy agreements and other documents landlords will need.

“After that we will need time to draw up these documents and have them checked by experts to ensure they are legally sound.

“All this takes time, and with the Christmas break happening slap bang in the middle of it all, it is clear it will be only too easy for the weeks to slip by.

“This legislation has been years in the making, so there is no benefit to rushing the final stages.

The Government needs to ensure everything is in place to support landlords to get it right first time.”

Written evidence

Ben has now written to the Secretary of State and the Housing Minister to make the case for the minimum period of six months from publication of regulations.

In it he explains this is the minimum amount of time it will take for:

• Landlords to inform more than 11 million tenants in England about changes to their tenancy agreements.
• Landlords, agents and legal professionals to be given training and guidance
• The publication of the updated Housing Health and Safety Rating System so that landlords have clarity about hazards and the opportunity to self-regulate.
• Solicitors to fully understand the new possession requirements and the new mandatory contents of tenancy agreements.
• Court procedures to be adapted, ready for an influx of in-person hearings.
• Internal letting agent processes and computer systems to be updated
• Councils to update policies and employ extra staff
• The Property Tribunal is prepared for an increase in rent appeals.

The letter also includes specific recommendations in respect of student tenancies.

Select Committee appearance

Ben will be returning to Westminster on Tuesday to appear before the Housing, Communities and Local Government Select Committee to give evidence on housing standards.

Ben will argue robust enforcement is vital if new rules on housing standards are to succeed, with updated legislation making little difference if the minority of rogue operators are able to continue to operate under the radar.

He will also call for clear guidance for landlords when it comes to complying with new standards, and the importance of training up tradespeople to carry out vital works.

Ben will reiterate our call for the reversal of the freeze on Local Housing Allowance rates to make it easier for those on lower incomes to find rental homes.

More information

• As soon as the Government outlines exactly what must be included in new tenancy agreements – something we are expecting in the coming weeks – we will be drafting a new tenancy template for our members and a suite of new supporting documents. Keep an eye on our news site and social media channels for more. 
• We have also developed a brand new proptech tool which offers a bespoke package of documents and guidance, tailored to your needs, based on the properties in your portfolio; as well as offering affordable training options, including  five courses deep dives into specific areas of the Act, from student lets to enforcement.  
• You can also check out our Renters’ Rights Bill Hub for guidance on what you can do to prepare now, and join one of our exclusive member webinars scheduled to take place fortnightly throughout the transition period.
• And last, but by no-means least, we’d love to see you at our UK Housing Conference, which will be held in Liverpool on November 5.