The Private Rented Sector Bill - General discussion on the Second Reading of the Bill

Mr Jenkin thanked the Secretary of State for responding to the Select Committee’s report and expressed concerns about delays in publishing responses, which cost families their homes. He asked for an apology from the Government and assurances that such delays would not happen again.

Mr Farron pointed out that the delay in responding to the Select Committee's report cost families their homes due to section 21 evictions. He urged for a change of use designation to protect communities from short-term lets and second home designations.

Mr Perkins highlighted the imbalance of power between landlords and tenants, citing an example where a landlord used flood damage as leverage to evict tenants who could not afford repairs. He urged for stronger legislation against rogue landlords.

Ms Clark raised concerns about section 21 notices being served on families dealing with bereavement, highlighting the need for abolition of such evictions to provide security.

Mr Corbyn questioned the adequacy of rent controls and local housing allowance, arguing that they leave many tenants in ex-council properties living in poverty and facing eviction. He called for rent control to protect those unable to afford rents.

Mr Shannon emphasised the importance of ensuring that unscrupulous landlords are not facilitated in avoiding their obligations, such as providing evidence for their intention to sell properties. He also questioned whether tenants would receive a new carpet after flood damage.

Ms Hobhouse expressed concern that the Bill could drive private landlords out of the market, which she argued is contrary to the Government's aim of bringing down inflation.

Defends landlords' right to evict tenants for legitimate reasons, such as antisocial behaviour. Emphasises the need for courts to handle eviction cases effectively and efficiently.

Raises concerns about landlords using section 21 for convenience, stressing the importance of court efficiency in handling eviction cases. Admits to a financial interest related to housing matters.

Welcomes the ban on section 21 no-fault evictions but raises concerns about illegal eviction laws being outdated and difficult to understand. Asks if the Department has considered reforming these alongside the proposed changes.

Welcomes the ban on section 21 no-fault evictions, citing cases of tenants being unfairly evicted. Urges the Secretary of State to implement the reform without delay.

Questions whether mandatory grounds for antisocial behaviour should be discretionary, arguing that it could be used by abusers. Suggests that the Secretary of State needs to address concerns about court delays.

Welcomes proposals but questions why restrictions on no-children/no-benefits policies have been removed. Suggests that these policies are significant barriers for certain groups to access housing.

Raises concerns about delays in implementing the Bill due to court system reforms. Suggests that an effective and efficient specialist housing court would help address these issues.

Welcomes provisions in the Bill, particularly the property portal, which he believes will allow councils to better target landlords providing poor-quality accommodation.

Welcomes protections for renters but expresses concern about a decline in landlord numbers, especially in rural areas. Asks what steps will be taken to reverse this trend.

Welcomes the private rental ombudsman but questions whether it would be better placed within an existing housing ombudsman framework.

Welcomes provisions for improved rental protections but urges the Secretary of State to bring forward measures ensuring homes are kept at a decent standard.

Emphasised the importance of addressing bad landlords despite most being good, urging quick implementation of the Renters' Reform Bill.

Asked if the Bill could adequately address issues such as mould and damp in rental properties to ensure tenant health and safety.

Inquired whether provisions for Awaab’s law should be integrated into the Renters' Reform Bill to address poor housing conditions.

Supported the lead MP's points, highlighting cases of young families being evicted with little notice and placed in B&Bs out-of-area by local authorities.

Agreed that preventing homelessness reduces financial burdens on councils, highlighting the high costs of emergency accommodation.

Questioned if rent tribunals would consider average market rents above local housing allowance levels without tenant recourse to complaint.

Called for reinstatement of a 30% figure for local housing allowance to address affordability issues in the private rental sector.

Proposed a new regulator with power to inspect landlords regularly to ensure tenant safety.

Supports the principle of the Renters (Reform) Bill, which aims to provide greater security and stability for renters. Emphasises that housing instability destroys wealth creation, damages life chances, restricts educational prospects, and harms health. Raises concerns about section 21 evictions, citing personal experiences from her constituency where a mother with a disabled daughter was forced out of their home by their landlord and Ukrainian refugees faced eviction after reporting heating issues. Rejects claims that repossession is taking too long and points to improved court guidance for timely possession claims as per civil procedure rule 55.5. Argues against delaying the implementation of section 21 reforms.

Welcomes the proposal to abolish section 21 but calls for assurances regarding justice system reforms and proper funding. Expresses concern over landlords' automatic prohibitions against tenants on benefits. Highlights issues with local housing allowance not keeping pace with rent increases.

Supports the ban on blanket bans on renting for those in receipt of benefits. Reports a 12% increase in rents and lack of local housing allowance adjustment, leading to evictions.

Acknowledges the impact on university students and confirms commitment to addressing issues faced by students in Manchester.

Mr Whittaker argues that the Bill unfairly targets all landlords, rather than focusing on rogue landlords. He notes existing legislation and powers available to local authorities for addressing housing issues. He highlights how past government policies have negatively impacted landlords, such as deposit schemes and changes in tenant benefit payments. Mr Whittaker emphasises that section 21 is rarely used by landlords and its removal would be extreme and damaging. He mentions the potential negative impact on tenants due to extended notice periods under ground eight and disputes inconsistent treatment of universal credit. Additionally, he criticises the Bill for not addressing housing shortages which contribute to rental market issues.

Mr Fysh agrees with Mr Whittaker's point about the Bill driving landlords from the system due to housing shortages. He references a Jones Lang LaSalle report that shows rental availability has dropped significantly in south-east and south-west England since 2019, supporting Mr Whittaker’s argument on market conditions.

Calls for the immediate end of section 21 to protect vulnerable tenants from eviction. Cites statistics showing a significant number of no-fault evictions in London since 2019 and highlights case studies illustrating the severe mental health impacts on families trapped in insecure tenancies due to high rents and poor living conditions.

Supports the Bill's goals of reforming the private rental market but calls for a balance between protecting tenants and supporting landlords. Advocates for more detail on how rent appeals will work in practice, emphasising the need to maintain affordable housing supply. Proposes introducing a six-month minimum tenancy length for responsible landlords while also considering longer protected periods for renters as suggested by charities like Shelter.

Welcomes the Bill and expresses dismay at delay in implementing ban on no-fault evictions. Stresses urgent need for renters' protection due to soaring rents, disrepair, and lack of social housing options. Cites Liverpool's housing emergency with 15,000 applicants on council’s housing register and nearly 400 new approaches a month. Criticises Tory policies for worsening conditions and highlights that 70,000 households have been threatened by section 21 notices since the Government proposed ban. Emphasises need to extend notice period from two months to four months and protect tenants for the first two years of tenancy. Suggests strong safeguards against abuse and financial incentives for tenants to prevent it. Calls on courts to have maximum discretion in identifying reasons why eviction should not take place and introduces cap on rent increases linked to inflation and wage growth. Advocates for raising local housing allowance in line with inflation and extra support for authorities to tackle rogue landlords.

Welcomes the Bill's measures to ensure fairer deals and more protections for renters, including abolition of section 21 evictions, dispute resolution mechanisms, and rights for tenants to request pets. Addresses concerns about pet insurance, debt respite misuse, and impact on student lets.

Supports provisions allowing tenants to request pets in private rented properties, highlighting importance for mental health. Emphasises balance between tenant and landlord rights through insurance requirements.

Highlights concerns of private renters and students affected by the Bill's clause on no-fault evictions. Criticises the Government for not abolishing section 21 notices immediately and seeks stronger measures against unaffordable rent increases. Raises issues with proposed exemptions for student accommodation, advocating for careful consideration to ensure broad protections are maintained.

Interjected to express concerns that the Bill will have a negative impact on areas with high rental property rates, reducing the number of available rental properties and increasing rent prices. He believes this would be particularly detrimental for young people seeking affordable housing.

Supports the bill, welcoming the end of no-fault evictions and clauses that allow tenants to keep pets. She raises concerns about the exodus of landlords from the market due to proposed changes, suggesting extending default tenancies to three years with rent increases capped at inflation. Argues for greater stability in rental housing while maintaining tenant security, citing statistics on landlord intentions and tenant demand. Emphasises the need to balance tenant protection with landlord incentives.

Expressed concerns about the impact of no-fault evictions ban on rental market stability, arguing it could exacerbate housing shortages. Cited statistics showing a significant increase in net migration and a decrease in new home construction compared to historical levels, highlighting the resultant strain on housing supply for young people. Suggested that current planning processes are too complex and lengthy, hindering house building efforts.

Argued in favour of ending no-fault evictions to provide greater security for renters. Highlighted the increasing unaffordability and poor living standards faced by private tenants, especially in high-cost areas like London. Emphasised the need for additional measures such as decent homes standard requirements and stronger protections against rent increases.

He is concerned that the formula in the Bill will not provide security for those in private rented sector. He suggests incentivizing landlords to keep tenants longer through fiscal intervention rather than current interventions proposed by the Government. He emphasises the need for building more homes and highlights potential negative impacts on private landlords which could result in more evictions. He also raises concerns about the practicalities of implementing the Bill, particularly regarding student accommodation and court backlogs.

He argues that private rented sector homes are often inadequate and insecure for tenants. He raises cases of constituents suffering from poor living conditions and evictions under section 21 notices, highlighting the urgent need for reform. He criticises delays in implementing the ban on no-fault evictions and expresses doubt about the Government's commitment to social justice. He calls for a thorough examination of potential loopholes that could undermine tenant protections.

He is concerned that the Bill may result in fewer rental properties due to increased bureaucracy, leading to higher rents. He cites Savills research indicating tens of thousands of landlords are selling up due to new regulations. Fletcher argues that making the market more bureaucratic will attract unscrupulous landlords and reduce property quality.

She highlights the poor conditions and insecurity faced by private renters in Britain. She supports banning no-fault evictions but expresses concern over potential loopholes in the Bill which could undermine its effectiveness. Sultana argues that renters need stronger protections including rent caps to address soaring rents.

She supports the Bill, emphasising the need for better conditions in rental properties and arguing it will benefit both tenants and landlords. She highlights the health impacts of poor housing conditions and mentions constituent support for pet-friendly provisions.

Mangnall supports the sentiment behind the Bill but is concerned about its details. He worries that the removal of fixed terms could lead to abuse by short-term renters pretending to rent long term and then handing back tenancies, which would undermine the long-term rental market. He also expresses unease over voting for a bill without clear enforcement mechanisms, citing concerns about court reform and legal clarity on antisocial behaviour. Finally, he emphasises the importance of recognising landlords' social value in providing housing, while calling for clear grounds for eviction to protect tenants.

Supports the Bill but highlights concerns over notice periods, fault-based evictions, and specific grounds for eviction. Argues that two-month notice periods are insufficient in a tight housing market, raises concern about the broad definition of antisocial behaviour allowing for exploitation by landlords, and suggests making rent arrears evictions discretionary to protect vulnerable tenants.

Ms Natalie Elphicke, during an intervention, supported Lloyd Russell-Moyle's principle of compensating tenants for no-fault evictions or other fines mentioned.

Expressed concern over the number of constituents receiving section 21 notices and rent increases. Emphasised that families with disabled members are particularly vulnerable to losing their homes, citing a family with an autistic child facing eviction and increased rent. Raised concerns about the effectiveness of proposed legislation, noting that without urgent court reforms, further evictions will occur. Highlighted issues such as the three-month ban on re-letting after eviction, which may not prevent repossession due to rising rents. Urged reinstatement of priority assistance for families served with possession notices to ensure immediate help in cases of homelessness risk. Questioned the Government's U-turn on decent homes standard requirements and requested assurances that this issue will be urgently addressed. Mentioned a constituent’s experience with substandard housing, calling for stronger enforcement powers and resources for councils to tackle standards breaches effectively. Suggested defining 'unreasonably refused' during Bill passage to ensure pet requests are not merely nominal rights.

The MP supports rent control measures but criticises their current inadequacy. She notes that tenants are paying more than 30% of their gross monthly income on housing costs, unsustainable under current conditions. Additionally, she stresses the importance of ensuring security of tenure for all renters and students in the private rented sector. Furthermore, she advocates for stricter enforcement mechanisms against exploitative practices by landlords.

Mrs. Anderson supports the Bill but calls for faster delivery and additional requirements such as meeting decent home standards, increasing councils’ investigative powers with funding, closing loopholes in discretionary grounds, and preventing homelessness by preserving private renters' right to access council assistance upon possession notices.

Mr. Sobel intervenes, highlighting a constituent case where a single parent to two vulnerable children was served with a section 21 no-fault eviction notice due to high rents and subsequently became homeless.

Welcomed the inclusion of the issue in the Conservative manifesto, highlighting the housing crisis in his constituency with high rents and long waiting lists for council houses. He criticised the current market conditions that force constituents to live in poor-quality homes or temporary accommodation due to aggressive landlord practices such as evictions under section 21. McDonnell called for urgent action on building more council houses and addressing the issue of rogue landlords, emphasising the need for effective amendments to the Bill.

The MP highlights the need for urgent action to reform the private rented sector, citing millions of people living in fear of no-fault evictions. He advocates for measures such as a new property portal, simpler tenancy structures, and prohibitions on multiple rent increases. However, he expresses significant concern over recent concessions that may delay section 21 abolition indefinitely. The MP also outlines Labour's plans to strengthen the Bill in Committee by proposing longer notice periods, exploring omitted White Paper proposals, and closing loopholes.

Asked for clarity on when courts will be ready to implement the Bill, expressing concern that the Minister's children being in their 20s may delay necessary changes.

Asked if the Minister could give way to discuss further details, highlighting a need for clear timelines and commitments.

Acknowledged the Minister's hard work in advancing the Bill, asked about resolving antisocial behaviour claims promptly and confirmed the Government’s intention to implement it as soon as possible.

Expressed concern over potential reduction in available private rentals, especially in rural areas, potentially impacting inflation rates. Urged the Minister to work with him to address these issues.