The National Residential Landlords Association says the Renters Reform Bill won’t win the support of landlords in its present form.

The Bill has just finished the committee stage, a part of the formal process for legislation going through parliament.

The NRLA is pleased that some amendments have been made at committee stage – notably that significant improvements must be made to the justice system before Section 21 is scrapped.

But on its website the association says it is concerned at the lack of security provided by the Bill to ensure tenants will remain in a property for more than two months. 

It says that without measures to establish an initial minimum tenancy period, landlords may be exposed to frequent reletting costs and may breach some buy-to-let lending conditions. 

The way the proposed reforms are implemented will also play a significant role in shaping landlords’ perceptions of the Bill, believes the association.

“Currently, uncertainty looms over implementation dates and the transition process for existing tenancies into the new tenancy regime. Assurances are needed to ensure that landlords have sufficient time to adapt to the proposed reforms” the NRLA website proclaims.

“Moreover, the Government’s proposed amendment to hold superior landlords accountable for illegal subletting practices by rent-to-rent companies unfairly penalises landlords who don’t know their properties are being let in this way and needs to be reassessed.”

The Bill will now advance to the report stage. During this period, all MPs will have the chance to propose and deliberate on additional amendments to the legislation in the Commons.

Although there is no fixed time-frame between the end of committee stage and report stage, the NRLA anticipates the legislation will be considered further before the Christmas break.