EXCLUSIVE: Levelling Up Minister tells us that we're living with "outdated" tenant legislation, and says new bill will provide "security and fairness" for landlords.
Jacob Young outlined the details of the Renters Reform Bill, which is being debated in the House Of Lords on Wednesday.
The Minister who is responsible for the private rental sector says that we're living with "outdated" tenant legislation, and says a new bill can give both tenants and landlords more security.
The Renters Reform Bill is being debated in the House Of Lords today (Wednesday 15 May) and a key part of the legislation is the abolition of Section 21, or no fault evictions.
The bill would also outlaw blanket bans on people with benefits and families that have children.
"That's the right balance that this bill strikes, that fairness and protection for tenants and security and fairness for landlords too."
Jacob Young is the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. Speaking exclusively to Greatest Hits Radio, Mr Young described the bill as "landmark" legislation and a "huge change" for the private rented sector, adding that it can benefit both tenants and landlords.
"We're living with outdated tenant legislation and this is an opportunity for us to update tenant legislation, giving the tenants more security in their homes. But we also want a fairer system for landlords as well and that's the right balance that this bill strikes, that fairness and protection for tenants and security and fairness for landlords too."
When asked if some landlords could still serve a Section 21 when others couldn't, Mr Young said: "It's a two stage process, we're abolishing Section 21 initially for new tenancies so that anyone who enters into a new tenancy agreement won't have the threat of Section 21 hanging over them, but we recognise to give the sector the certainty it needs and not to have this cliff-edge, it's important that we allow existing tenancies to last a little bit longer.
"It will be in two phases. We'll abolish Section 21 for new tenancies and then a short while after that we'll abolish it for existing tenancies as well."
Jacob Young spoke to Greatest Hits Radio whilst visiting Battersea Dogs & Cats Home in South London. A part of the new bill also proposes giving tenants the ability to request a pet. Mr Young said he was shocked by something that he found out on the visit.
"The second most common reason for people giving up their beloved cats and dogs (to Battersea) is that they can't find a rented property which will allow them to have a pet.
"I think that alone speaks to the reason why we need to change how the legislation currently works and give tenants that right to request a pet."
He added that the legislation should create dialogues between tenants and landlords.
"Where a landlord has a reasonable reason that they can't accept a pet, the tenant can challenge that, but ultimately it's about a conversation between the landlord and tenant."
Research from Battersea has found that 76% of tenants in the private rented sector either already own or aspire to own a pet in the future, and 65% of pet owners reported difficulty in finding a rental property.
In a survey, over a third of people also told Battersea that they have pets for their mental health.
The Minister also suggested that the bill could "absolutely" lead to more pets being rehomed, and added that it "means that more pets won't need to be given up".
Ben Beadle, who is the Chief Executive of the National Residential Landlords Association, said it's "vital" that the bill works for landlords too.
“Landlords selling up is the single biggest challenge renters face. The only answer is to ensure responsible landlords have the confidence to stay in the market and sustain tenancies.
“As Peers debate the Renters (Reform) Bill, it is vital that it works for landlords as well as tenants. As it stands it would achieve this balance. We are calling on Peers to support the Bill to give the sector certainty about the future.
“More broadly, all parties need to accept widespread calls for policies to boost supply in the private rented sector.”
Generation Rent, a campaign group that supports tenants, said in a tweet that the Bill "is our chance to help tenants facing unwanted moves and avoid homelessness."