If you’re wondering what’s the earliest date the Renters (Reform) Bill could become law, take a look at the timeline below.
The Renters (Reform) Bill was first introduced in May 2023, so there’s quite a journey ahead before it gets passed into law, if it does at all.
Given the many proposed changes for the rental market, landlords need to stay in the loop and know when these shifts might actually happen. At the same time, there’s no need to stress over proposals that are in their early stages and could undergo significant changes before becoming a reality.
To help you out, we have created a timeline that breaks down all the stages of the Renters (Reform) Bill’s progress and estimates when it could come into force in England.
OpenRent has made creating a listing super quick and easy.
Get Started Now- 17 May 2023
First Reading
The Renters (Reform) Bill was introduced in the House of Commons. During this stage, the bill’s title and main objectives were presented, but there was no debate.
- 23 October 2023
Second Reading
Members of Parliament (MPs) in the House of Commons debated the general principles and objectives of the Renters (Reform) Bill. A motion was held at the end of the debate to determine whether the bill should proceed to the next stage.
- 28 November 2023 (completed)
Committee Stage
The Committee Stage kicked off on November 14 featuring verbal testimonies from key figures in the private rented sector, including the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA), housing charity Shelter, and legal experts, among others.
Following this, the Committee initiated a thorough review of both the original text and proposed amendments brought forth by the government and opposition parties. This stage concluded on November 28, with the revised Bill formally introduced to the House of Commons. - January 2024 (estimated)
Report Stage
After the committee stage, the bill returns to the full House of Commons for further consideration. MPs can suggest additional amendments or changes, including those related to housing policy and renters’ rights.
- January 2024(estimated)
Third Reading
The final debate on the Renters (Reform) Bill takes place in the House of Commons. While further amendments are generally not allowed at this stage, MPs can discuss the bill’s content, and a final vote is taken.
- Early Spring 2024 (estimated)
House of Lords
If the Renters (Reform) Bill passes all stages in the House of Commons, it’s then sent to the House of Lords for consideration. The bill goes through similar stages in the House of Lords: first reading, second reading, committee stage, report stage, and third reading.
- Spring 2024 (estimated)
Consideration of Amendments
If the House of Lords makes any amendments to the bill, it’s sent back to the House of Commons for consideration of those changes. There may be a process of ‘ping-pong’ between the two houses until they agree on the final text.
- Summer 2024(estimated)
Royal Assent
Once both the House of Commons and the House of Lords agree on the final version of the Renters (Reform) Bill, it’s sent to the reigning monarch, i.e., King Charles, for royal assent. Royal assent is a ceremonial step, and approval is granted as a matter of constitutional convention.
- After Autumn 2024 (estimated)
First Implementation
Starting from this date, the Renters (Reform) Bill would become law for all new tenancies that start after this point. This would mean that the new rules and regulations established by the bill – including the abolition of Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions – would apply to new rental agreements.
- 12 months later, likely in late 2025 (estimated)
Second Implementation
The Renters (Reform) Bill would also start affecting all historic tenancies that started before the first implementation.
- 2025 onwards (estimated)
Follow-up Legislation
The Bill contains provisions for certain measures to be brought in later by the Secretary of State, without giving precise details of how this will be done. The timescales for these changes would be particularly uncertain, but in the past, there have been several years between the primary legislation and follow-up legislation, such as the gap between the creation of tenancy deposit legislation in the Housing Act 2004 and the formalisation of prescribed information requirements in 2007.
Since the Bill is still in its early stages, there’s a chance it could face rejection at any point, potentially preventing it from becoming a law.
What’s more, all the proposed changes within the Bill will go through revisions in parliament, so the final document may look significantly different from its current form.
These uncertainties highlight the need to stay on top of the legislative process and keep up with the latest updates.
Being informed and adaptable in this ever-changing landscape is crucial for everyone involved, whether you’re a landlord or a tenant.
This article was last updated on January 8, 2024.
