Future Of Renters Reform Bill Remains In Doubt

The future of the government's much-delayed Renters Reform Bill remains in doubt, with uncertainty about its path after the next parliamentary recess.

The government has said it wants to “bring in a better deal for renters” with its Renters Reform Bill, which was introduced to parliament in 2023 and had its second reading in September. 

However its future remains in doubt, with a source in the House of Lords telling PoliticsHome the bill had "been put back indefinitely" following a series of delays to bill due to pushback from Tory backbenchers. 

On Wednesday PoliticsHome reported there are Labour and Liberal Democrat peers in the House of Lords receptive to requests from campaigners to strengthen protections in the bill for renters who fall into arrears, and were considering amendments when it returned to the chamber for its next reading. 

Labour's shadow homelessness minister Mike Amesbury also told PoliticsHome he believed the bill had been put on hold following pressure from the government's own party. 

"It seems that the lobby from Tory backbenchers who happen to be landlords is putting these vital reforms into the too difficult box for the prime minister," said Amesbury. 

A spokesperson for the department for levelling up, housing, and communities (DLHUC) did not deny that the bill had been put on hold, telling PoliticsHome: “Our landmark Renters Reform Bill is passing through Parliament and will deliver a fairer private rented sector for both tenants and landlords.

"We continue to meet regularly with a range of groups representing all those in the private rented sector and engage on our reforms."  

However, a DHLUC source told PoliticsHome they believed the bill "should come back after recess". 

It comes after The Sun last