The state opening of parliament saw the king’s speech set the agenda and main priorities for Kier Starmer’s governments. This year’s speech, delivered by King Charles, is the first for a Labour Government since 2010, following the recent general election. With 30+ bills highlighted by the king, there was nothing seismic for tenants or landlords. However, it is still important to look over what was announced for the property industry.
- THE RENTERS RIGHTS BILL
A major focus is the renters’ rights bill. This is labours version of the renters’ reform bill. However, this intended overhaul to the private rental sector in England is set to end the mistreatment of tenants and provide a secure step up for first-time buyers.
Key Proposals Include:
- Abolishing Section 21 with clear grounds for possession
- Introducing ‘Awaab’s Law’ with clear legal expectations for landlords
- Strengthening tenant rights, allowing challenges to rent increases and preventing rental bidding wars.
- Creating a digital private rented sector database for landlords, tenants and councils.
- Requiring landlords to consider tenants’ requests to keep pets, with the option for insurance against pet damage.
- Implementing a ‘Decent Homes Standard’ for the private rental sector.
- Enhancing local councils’ enforcement powers to target rogue landlords.
- Establishing a new ombudsmen service for dispute resolution.
- Making it illegal to discriminate against tenants on benefits or with children.
Most of these points were in the Conservative Renters’ Reform Bill – so there is nothing new here or scary for landlords out there as this has all been in the pipeline for a while.
- Planning and Infrastructure Bill:
Labour is aiming to accelerate and modernise housebuilding and infrastructure planning laws. This bill focuses on:
- Increasing the capacity of local planning authorities
- Modernising local planning committees
- Rationalisation of the planning system to deliver critical infrastructure
- Leasehold and Commonhold Reform Bill:
Labour plans to publish draft legislation to extend the Leasehold and Commonhold Reform Act 2024. The main goal this bill is out to achieve is to enhance the rights owners have over their properties. This includes:
- Addressing ground rent issues
- Reinvigorating commonholds
- Putting into action the remaining law commission recommendations
In summary, it is to be noted that these are not laws yet and all these above matters have to pass through a lot of hurdles to come into practice. Still, Kier Starmer’s invigorated government is planning to make sure that these matters are put through and at the top of the agenda.
