Renters Reform Bill Could Water Down Efforts To Abolish Fixed Term Tenancies

Efforts to abolish fixed term tenancies in the Renters' Reform Bill could be weakened by proposed Government amendments after pressure from backbench Tory rebels opposed to the reform.

The Renters' Reform Bill originally promised to abolish fixed term tenancy agreements and replace them with rolling contracts otherwise known as periodic tenancies. 

Draft amendments seen by PoliticsHome suggest private renters in new tenancies could be faced with signing an initial four-month contract with their landlord. Added to this they may have to give their landlord two-months’ notice before they can leave the property without paying rent. Housing campaigners are concerned this could amount to fixed term contracts by stealth by locking renters into a rental home for up to six months. 

Tom Darling, Campaign Manager for Renters' Reform Coalition, said he believed it was “disgraceful” that Government was considering further concessions to landlords on this legislation.

“The proposal to introduce a six-month minimum commitment would strip renters of one of the few powers they have – the ability to vote with their feet – and would inevitably see people trapped in substandard and dangerous tenancies unfit for habitation,” he said.

“We need to be driving up standards in rented homes, but incredibly this change would actually encourage rogue landlords to continue neglecting faulty properties. It would be a step backwards for renters’ rights.”

The Renters Reform Bill was first introduced in May and has been very controversial with many Tory backbenchers. The FT reported it had been stuck in the Whips’ Office after its first reading because of “vested interest” within the Conservative Party.

The Bill received its second reading in September. Politic