But despite promises that the Bill will improve the rented sector for tenants, it appears likely that the cost of renting will continue to rise in 2025.
Below, we outline when the new legislation is expected to become law, what it will include, and how it could affect you.
undefinedWhat is included in the Renters’ Rights Bill?
The Renters' Rights Bill contains a series of reforms that the government claims will improve the private rented sector for tenants.
Some of the key plans are as follows:
No-fault eviction ban:Rent protections:Lets with pets: Standards of living:End of blanket bans on tenants:Rented sector database:As the Bill has progressed through the House of Commons, some amendments have been introduced. These include:
Student housing:Ombudsman:When will the Renters’ Rights Bill become law?
If the House of Lords proposes no amendments, the Bill will proceed directly to the King for royal assent. However, this is unlikely to happen.
The most likely scenario is that the Bill will move back and forth between the Lords and Commons until both agree on the final wording of the legislation.
After a long wait for reform in the sector, some experts forecast that the Bill could come into law as soon as April.
Some measures are likely to take effect immediately, while others, such as introducing the Decent Homes Standard, will take longer.
What's happening to the cost of renting?
The estate agency Hamptons regularly reports on the cost of renting. Its data shows average rents in Great Britain have risen by 31% since October 2020, increasing from £1,042 per month to £1,367.
It also found that the growth in the number of under-45s renting over the past 12 months was the fastest seen in a decade, with 149,000 people entering the rental market.
There are expectations that rent rises in 2025 will be a little slower than we've seen in the past few years, but the cost of renting is still likely to increase.
Hamptons says rents in Great Britain are currently rising by 2% year-on-year. Scotland has seen the biggest increase, at 5.5%.
What to do if you can’t pay your rent
If you’re struggling to pay your rent or have already missed a payment, it’s essential to contact your landlord as soon as possible.
Doing this increases the chances of finding a solution that allows you to remain in the property.
If you are a tenant in England or Wales, you may qualify for the Debt Respite Scheme, also known as Breathing Space. This provides you a 60-day period in which your landlord won’t be able to take most enforcement action.
undefinedsource https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/new-rights-for-renters-could-come-into-force-this-spring-aG8kC2u7t2Wc