The Renters Reform Bill is not scheduled for debate this week in Parliament - and time is running out for it to be shoe-horned into the coming weeks, too.
The Bill was introduced with much fanfare four months ago, at which point it has a rapid First Reading. It’s still awaiting its Second Reading and this delay is unusually long for any significant legislation.
On Thursday of this week we will find out whether it’s scheduled for debate next week - but that will be a short week of just two days for the House of Commons, ahead of the start of the party conference season.
If the Second Reading doesn’t happen before the conferences it must wait until MPs return to Parliament on October 16.
Even then there is a relatively short window of opportunity for a Second Reading before the King’s Speech outlines Parliament’s agenda for the coming year on November 7.
If the Second Reading hasn’t happened by that time the Bill will have to be reintroduced and the whole process starts again.
Given the lengthy time it takes for a Bill to go through the Commons and Lords and then goes to receive Royal Assent, there are now growing doubts that the Bill’s controversial measures will be enacted before the next General Election.
Ben Twomey, the chief executive of the Generation Rent activist group, says: “The clock is ticking, and while we wait for the government to pass the law it promised to renters four years ago...
“Every 15 minutes another family is being evicted through no fault of their own. It's heart-breaking to think how many more could be homeless by Christmas.”
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It never should have been released in the first place. Put it in the bin where it belongs.
Is the bill lawful when private landlords did not receive representation?
Mr Ben Twomey. Thank you for supplying the evidence needed to Scrap this stupid Renters Reform Bill, an eviction every 15 minutes caused directly by the proposed Renter’s Reform Bill and the removal of Section 21, nice one how’s the foot.
Yes, why are there so many evictions. These activists don't research why people are being evicted. How can you reduce evictions if you don't know why they are happening?
As this bill gets closer an eviction every 15 minutes will seem like Halcyon days 😂 I can bet that figure will drop to single figures 🆘🆘
It’s very rare for landlords to evict decent tenants. Those that are doing so are evicting because of the proposed removal of s.21. Another mess of the government’s making
I doubt if Ben Twomey from Generation Rent reads this forum, as it doesn't fit in to his echo chamber.
It won't come as a surprise to us here but it will to him once this legislation finally becomes statute. Every 15 minutes (at least) another tenant will be evicted.... THOUGH THEIR FAULT WILL NOW BE STATISTICALLY HIGHLIGHTED, whereas before it wasn't. Only then will it come to light that section 21 has been weaponised all along by the likes of Mr Twomey and Ms Neate, who have caused far more problems for tenants then they have solved.
Oh Ben, I agree how heartbreaking to think of all those families who will be on the streets at Christmas. Reminds me of Blackadders Christmas Carol....
"As for Tiny Tom’s Christmas: he can stuff it up his enormous muscular backside".
You brought it upon yourself Twomey but then again maybe Polly could put the kettle on and give them a nice warm drink!
The most likely reason a tenant is asked to leave their tenancy is because they fall behind or simply stop paying their rent. Over time this mounts up. LL still has to pay the mortgage. Ben would you expect to still go to Tesco and leave with a trolley of food if you could not pay for it?
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