Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook has promised to support landlords to cope with the introduction of controversial rental reforms.
Many landlords have expressed concern as the Renters’ Rights Bill approaches Royal Assent and will end no-fault evictions and create open-ended tenancies.
There is no set date for implementation yet, causing more uncertainty.
Speaking to Parliament this week, Pennycook said that following Royal Assent, the Government will allow for a “smooth transition to the new system.”
He said: “We will support tenants, landlords and agents to understand and adjust to the new rules.
“We want to make that change as smoothly and efficiently as possible, and to introduce the new tenancies for the private rented sector in one stage.”
That means that once a date is confirmed, the new tenancy system will apply to all private tenancies.
Pennycook added: “Existing tenancies will convert to the new system and any new tenancies signed on or after the date will be governed by the new rules.
“We will work closely with all parts of the sector to ensure a smooth transition and we will provide sufficient notice ahead of implementation.”
Responding to the Government’s failure to explain how, and when, it will implement its Renters’ Rights Bill, Ben Beadle, chief executive of the National Residential Landlords Association, said: “We welcome the Housing Minister’s commitment to ensure the rental market has sufficient notice ahead of the implementation of the Renters’ Rights Bill. However, this does not provide the clarity that renters and landlords desperately need to prepare for its arrival.
“With the Bill now close to receiving Royal Assent, the Government needs to make clear how long after this it expects to begin rolling out the widespread reforms. The sector cannot operate, and plan, based on vague and ambiguous statements.
“At least six months will be needed, after regulations are passed, to ensure a smooth transition to the new tenancy system. Anything less will be a recipe for confusion and chaos.”
