Can Labour's landmark bill change the lives of tenants?

The huge political row about cuts in eligibility for the pensioners’ winter fuel payment overshadowed another potentially even more far-reaching and radical reform proposed by the government – the Renters (Reform) Bill.

- SEAN O'GRADY

For Labour, when it is enacted, it will represent another important manifesto pledge fulfilled, and will mean major changes in the private rental market.

The headline move is to outlaw “no fault” evictions, currently permitted under Section 21 of the Housing Act 1988, passed at the high noon of the Thatcher years of free-market-oriented deregulation. The minister for housing, Matthew Pennycook, says the aim is to “decisively level the playing field between landlords and tenants” and “drive out disreputable landlords from the sector”.

What else is in the bill?

In no particular order: the right to request to keep a pet in the property, which a landlord cannot “reasonably” refuse (but it will need insurance cover); rents set for a year at a time; no “bidding wars” when getting new tenants in; various set periods of notice for set conditions for a landlord to gain possession of the property; tenants to gain additional protection for complaining; an obligation on all owners to carry out safety and health inspections (including for black mould, under the socalled Awaab’s law); and an end to discrimination because a prospective occupier has children or is on benefits.

Landlords will still be able to evict tenants, but only if they have good reason, such as persistent rent arrears, antisocial behaviour, rioting, or the landlord has a genuine desire to sell the place.

Weren’t the Conservatives going to do this?