Black South West Network’s policy brief on the Renter’s Reform Bill outlines that the bill is a “useful starting point in tackling the private rental system” but it takes more for the government to adequately address the ever-rising cost of private rents. Councillor Tom Renhard of Horfield, also Bristol’s Cabinet Member for Housing Delivery and Homes, recently wrote that he “cannot help but feel that the proposals do not go far enough to tackle the mounting housing crisis being faced in Bristol and across the country.” Certainly, Councillor Renhard’s thoughts on the Bill align with BSWN’s policy brief: namely, the Bill overlooks giving local councils the ability to intervene in large rent price hikes and disregards discrimination protections.
Whilst there are things left to be desired within the Bill, there are many positives that arise from the Renter’s Reform Bill such as the inclusion of additional mechanisms that protect renters from precarious positions. Provisions made for the creation of a Private Rented Sector Ombudsman, the inclusion of pets in renting agreements, the abolition of Section 21’s no-fault evictions, and the creation of a Property Portal are all welcome additions to the existing sphere of legislation that regulates the housing sector of England & Wales.
However, there remain glaring opportunities for loopholes to be exploited that will maintain landlords’ ability to “find ways to skirt the laws by using large rent hikes to force unwanted tenants out who can’t afford them” (Renhard, 2023). There also remains concern over the precarious housing positions of migrants, “who are likely to face discrimination based on their ethnicity, name or accent. Individuals not born in the UK are subject to Right to Rent checks, where landlords have to check the immigration status of prospective tenants or face a criminal sentence or fine. As a result of Right to Rent checks, it can take individuals from minoritised communities almost twice as long to find a home to rent compared to their White British counterparts (The Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants, 2023)” (BSWN Renter’s Reform Bill Policy Brief, 2023). Therefore, BSWN has made recommendations to address such issues, including the introduction of more funding for local authorities for more effective enforcement of housing laws, the reform of the Right to Rent scheme to prevent migrants from being discriminated against when seeking to live in privately rented housing, and the inclusion of mechanisms for rent control to prevent the rising cost of living in privately-controlled houses.
To truly tackle the housing crisis and create a fair and inclusive rental market, the government must address these recommendations and ensure that the Renter's Reform Bill encompasses stronger provisions to protect tenants from exploitation and discrimination. By doing so, the government can take meaningful steps towards addressing the underlying issues and securing stable and affordable housing for all.
Written by Japheth Monzon, Project Officer, and edited by Angelique Retief, Senior Policy Officer.
References