Details are emerging about anti-landlord amendments being tabled by Lords at the final stages of the Renters Rights Bill’s passage through Parliament.

Two amendments on licensing have been tabled by Liberal Democrat peer Lord Shipley –  a senior figure in the Local Government Association and former leader of Newcastle council.

He claims the amendments “would remove unnecessary barriers to the use of licensing schemes to improve housing standards”.

The first amendment would remove what its backers claims is a “peculiar disconnect” in current legislation, whereby local authorities can introduce selective licensing schemes in order to address poor housing but cannot include in the licences themselves conditions requiring the physical state of the licensed properties to be improved.

The second amendment would increase the maximum duration of additional HMO licensing schemes and selective licensing schemes from five to 10 years. 

Supporters claim local authorities would then be able to implement longer schemes without having to reassess and go out to renewed consultation.

The amendments are backed by the Renters’ Reform Coalition, which comprises 19 activist organisations and some charities.

The Bill enters its Report Stage in the Lords next Tuesday, July 1: the complete stage could be held over three days in the first half of July.

After the Report Stage in the Lords, a Bill goes through the Third Reading – usually very quick.

After this, the Bill (as amended by the Lords) is returned to the Commons, which then considers enters a stage called “Consideration of Lords Amendments.”

MPs may accept, reject, or make alternative amendments. If there is disagreement, the Bill may go back and forth between the two Houses in a process called “ping pong” – although this is considered unlikely over this Bill.

Once both houses agree on the text, the Bill proceeds to Royal Assent. Once granted, the Bill becomes law.