On Friday 28 October, members and supporters of the Renters’ Reform Coalition released a joint statement calling for the Renters’ Reform Bill to be published as a matter of urgency. While we welcome the government’s commitment to abolishing Section 21, it is time for Rishi Sunak to commit to fully fledged private renting reforms and bring forward the Renters' Reform Bill that was promised three and a half years ago.
The joint statement is signed by a total of 39 organisations, united in calling for the Bill to be published as a matter of urgency to be passed in this session of parliament. Alongside the letter, supporters of the coalition will be contacting their MPs, explaining the necessity of prioritising reforming private renting as we head into winter and costs continue to rise.
Full statement:
We welcome the government’s commitment to ending no-fault evictions.
However, with political events creating uncertainty around private renting reform, we are calling on the new Prime Minister to restate their commitment to the Renters’ Reform Bill and introduce it to Parliament without delay.
Recent polling by Opinium revealed that the Renters’ Reform Bill is popular, with 79% of the public supporting measures to improve security in private renting, rising to 80% of over 65s and those who voted Conservative at the last election.
Already, it’s been over three years since the government promised to reform private renting.
Private renters face another winter without these vital reforms.
In a cost-of-living crisis, they can’t wait any longer.
We, the undersigned call on the government to keep its commitment to renters and pass the Renters’ Reform Bill in the current parliamentary session.
Signatories
ACORN
Advice 4 Renters
Age UK
Akt
Big Issue
Camden Federation of Private Tenants
Cats Protection
Chartered Institute of Environmental Health
Citizens Advice
Crisis
Disability Rights UK
Dogs Trust
Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance
Generation Rent
Greater Manchester Tenants’ Union
Health Foundation
Homeless Link
Housing Law Practitioners Association
Independent Age
JCWI
Joseph Rowntree Foundation
Law Centres Network
London Renters Union
Marks out of Tenancy
National Union of Students
Nationwide Foundation
New Economics Foundation
Northern Housing Consortium
PricedOut
Renters' Rights London
Safer Renting
Shelter
SOLACE Women’s Aid
Standing Together Against Domestic Abuse
Tenants’ Association of the National Trust
Toynbee Hall
Trussell Truss
Women’s Aid
Z2K
What's the problem?
Almost 20,000 private renters were threatened by homelessness last year due to no fault-evictions, as research by coalition member Shelter revealed a tenant receives a Section 21 notice every 7 minutes. Legally forcing them to leave their home within two months through no fault of their own.
As living costs continue to rise, coalition member Generation Rent found nearly half of private renters faced rent increases last year, forcing renters to absorb the cost-of-living crisis, often with no alternative housing options. Nearly one fifth of those facing increases were asked to pay an extra £100 or more a month forcing 13% to move out. As many private renters are already living on the edge of financial catastrophe our current system built on insecure tenancies and high rents is fuelling homelessness. That is why we are delivering the letter and calling for government action, as renters need secure and affordable homes now.