By On Tuesday, I attended a meeting at the Home Office, where a representative from the Housing Ministry (MHCLG) provided an update on the Renters’ Rights Bill (RRB).
It was confirmed that over 100 amendments have been laid in the Lords, with the full list available here. This level of scrutiny was expected, given the Bill’s significance and the ongoing debate surrounding its impact on both landlords and tenants.
However, it is likely that the number of amendments will be significantly reduced due to:
- The Salisbury-Addison Convention, which prevents the Lords from passing ‘wrecking amendments’ that contradict the Government’s manifesto commitments, and
- House officials consolidating similar amendments during the review process.
Parliamentary Timeline
The Lords Committee stage is now unlikely to take place before the end of March. However, once it progresses beyond this stage, the Bill is expected to return to the Commons quickly.
The Government remains committed to securing Royal Assent before the Summer Recess on July 22nd, but this remains subject to Parliamentary scheduling. While delays are always possible, the overall intention is clear: to pass the Bill as soon as possible. The coming months will determine whether this target is realistic.
Proposed Amendments: Lord Bird’s Suggestion
One particularly ambitious amendment has been tabled by Lord Bird (founder of The Big Issue), proposing that the entire Bill be implemented in a single phase. While well-intentioned, this approach is impractical given the Bill’s scope and complexity.
A phased introduction remains the most viable approach, allowing landlords, agents, and tenants time to adapt. I will be contacting Lord Bird directly to highlight the potential challenges and unintended consequences of his proposal. While urgency is important, an unstructured rollout could create significant disruption across the sector.
Final Thoughts
The RRB remains a top legislative priority, and while progress has been slower than anticipated, the Government is determined to see it through. With over 100 amendments under discussion, further negotiation and refinement will be necessary before a final version is agreed.
As always, I will continue monitoring developments closely, hoping that a balanced and practical approach prevails.
Other Matters Arising from the Meeting
Visa Transition to eVisas
The Government has been working towards phasing out physical visas in favour of eVisas, a digital record of immigration status that replaces documents such as biometric residence permits (BRPs) and passport stamps.
The meeting reported that uptake of eVisas has been slower than expected, and landlords and agents are being urged to ensure that tenants requiring visas have started the transition process. Further details are available here.
Additionally, the Government advises tenants holding BRPs to retain them, even if they have expired, to avoid complications during this transition.
The Data (Use and Access) Bill
The Data (Use and Access) Bill is currently progressing through Parliament. A key point of interest for agents is that any Identity Service Provider (IDSP) performing digital identity checks on potential tenants will eventually need to be certified—though the exact timeline for implementation remains undecided. It is important that agents ensure they are only using certified IDSP’s after implantation.
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