“As a renter, you never truly feel at home”: Tenants Voice submission to the Renters Reform Bill
The Renters’ Reform Bill was announced in 2019, when the UK government promised to improve renting with a once-in-a-generation bill that would create a “fairer rental market” in England.
We asked our Tenants Voice Panel - 9 people from across England living in the private rented sector (PRS) - to share their lived experiences and insights to help develop and shape policy asks for the Renters’ Reform Bill. Specific policies considered include abolishing Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions, the introduction of a National Landlord Register (NLR), and improving standards for tenants through redress and enforcement.
Throughout discussions, one theme came up time and time again - security.
Tenants often struggle to feel safe and secure in their properties. One of the main reasons for this is the constant threat of evictions - this means tenants often don’t feel able to raise issues such as disrepair or challenge landlords when they aren’t fulfilling their duties. The panel therefore felt that ending section 21 - if done well - would make the biggest difference for tenants.
With 4.4 million households privately renting in England, meaningful reform could have lasting impact on millions across the country - improving financial, emotional and community resilience, and helping renters feel more empowered about living in the private rented sector.