MPs today begin the so-called Committee Stage of the Renters Reform Bill’s passage through the House of Commons.
Organisations and individuals with an interest in the Bill have been invited to provide evidence and propose amendments to a cross party group of MPs.
The committee is reported to be going ahead even though Tory MP Rachel Maclean, who until yesterday was Housing Minister, has now been sacked in Rishi Sunak’s reshuffle. Maclean was to have introduced the Bill to the committee on behalf of the government.
Today the National Residential Landlords Association and the Lettings Industry Council will give oral evidence; all those giving oral evidence have been invited to submit written evidence too.
NRLA chief executive Ben Beadle – who gives his evidence this morning – says: “We have heard some positive sounds coming from Government on student lets and court reform, however until any amendments are put forward we will continue to campaign for change.
“We are also calling for movement on notice periods, to ensure that what’s included in the Bill is fair to responsible landlords as well as tenants – something that is vital if the Bill is to succeed.
“I am looking forward to sharing landlords’ views and experiences with the committee … and recommending simple, workable changes that have the potential to make a positive difference on the ground.”
The all-party committee consists of:
– Nickie Aiken MP (Conservative);
– Mike Amesbury MP (Labour);
– Shaun Bailey MP (Conservative);
– Sara Britcliffe MP (Conservative);
– Karen Buck MP (Labour);
– Anna Firth MP (Conservative);
– Mary Glindon MP (Labour);
– Eddie Hughes MP (Conservative);
– Siobhain McDonagh MP (Labour);
– Rachel Maclean MP (Conservative, ex-Housing Minister – listed to appear but has now been sacked from post);
– Gagan Mohindra MP (Conservative);
– Helen Morgan MP (Liberal Democrat);
– Matthew Pennycook MP (Labour, Shadow Housing Minister);
– Lloyd Russell-Moyle MP (Labour);
– Dean Russell MP (Conservative);
– Ben Spencer MP (Conservative); and
– Craig Tracey MP (Conservative).
The evidence session will be broadcast on Parliament TV from 9.25am until 5pm, with a break for lunch. You can watch live here.
