The Law Society is warning that the Rental Rights Bill – which takes centre stage in the House of Lords today – could prompt a wave of legal disputes.

The society backs the idea of the Bill, saying that in particular it welcomes the end of Section 21 evictions and a ban on so-called bidding wars by rival prospective tenants.

But Law Society president Richard Atkinson warns: “This reform is long overdue, as the growing housing crisis has left renters vulnerable to unjust treatment and forced homelessness. It is vital that renters are afforded clear rights, while balancing landlords’ routes to repossessions.

“We support the Bill’s ambitious efforts, however, we remain concerned that an underfunded justice system will make rental reform difficult to achieve.

“While the government’s proposals to increase housing legal aid fees are a welcome development, there remains more to be done around the scope of legal aid, which would enable more renters to obtain legal advice at an earlier stage.

“The Bill may also lead to more contested hearings, as landlords will now have to show good reason for eviction. Renters will have a greater ability to challenge evictions, which may lead to additional cases entering the court system. The government must outline how it intends to equip courts with adequate resources to handle this rising demand, while dealing with existing backlogs. 

“While we applaud the government for its great strides to bolster tenant rights, the Bill will not be effective without further investment in the justice system. We urge the government to provide greater funding and more clarity to the enforcement provisions so that justice is accessible to renters and landlords alike.”

Today the Bill has its Second Reading in the House of Lords today.

It’s considered likely that the Bill will become law in the spring.