Updates from King's Speech today
What does this mean for you? Have a quick read through the main points.
The Renters' Rights Bill
The Renters' Rights Bill looks to be Labour's version of the Renters (Reform) Bill, which did not pass through Parliament before the end of the Conservative Government.
This new legislation will look to provide a "functioning sector to those who want it, and a secure stepping stone for aspiring homeowners".
The Renters' Rights Bill will look to end the exploitation of renters by landlords and overhaul the private rental sector. This bill will apply to England.
This bill will look to cover policies such as:
• Abolishing Section 21 - with new clear and expanded possession grounds so landlords can reclaim their properties when they need to.
• Strengthening tenants' rights and protections - by giving tenants the power to challenge rent increases and end the practice of rental bidding wars.
• Pets in lets - landlords must consider and cannot unreasonably refuse a tenant having a pet in their rental property. However, landlords can request insurance to cover any potential damage a pet might create.
• Decent Homes Standard for the private rental sector
• Applying 'Awaab's Law' to the sector - with clear legal expectations and timeframes for landlords to adhere to.
• A digital private rented sector database - putting together information for landlords, tenants and councils all in one place.
• Supporting quicker and cheaper resolution for disputes within the sector - the introduction of a new ombudsman service to provide "fair, impartial and binding resolutions" to landlords and tenants.
• Making it illegal for landlords to discriminate against tenants who receive benefits or have children
• Strengthening local council's enforcement powers - making it easier for councils to identify and find rogue landlords and drive them out of the sector.
A draft of the Leasehold and Commonhold Reform Bill
The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill was passed on the final day of the Conservative Government. However, despite the bill passing, there are still serval question marks on how it will be actioned and implemented.
Labour will soon publish draft legislation that will aim to provide homeowners with greater rights and powers over their homes.
The party plans to further reform leaseholds and freeholds while also implementing the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024.
The Government first mentioned plans to bring leasehold systems to an end in its manifesto. However, following the King's Speech, further details on how this will be done were released.
This includes:
• Reinvigorating commonholds
• Tackling existing ground rents
• Enacting remaining Law Commission recommendations
• These reforms will extend and apply to England and Wales
Planning and Infrastructure Bill
The King's Speech and Labour Manifesto focused on the theme of growing the United Kingdom, and the Planning and Infrastructure Bill further showcased this.
As mentioned in King Charles's Speech: “My Ministers will get Britain building, including through planning reform, as they seek to accelerate the delivery of high-quality infrastructure and housing”
The Planning and Infrastructure Bill plans to make improvements to the planning system at a local level while accelerating housebuilding and infrastructure. Labour plans to achieve this through:
- Improving local planning decision-making - through modernising planning committees
- Increasing local planning authorities’ capacity
- Streamlining the delivery process for critical infrastructure
Feel free to get in touch if you need to discuss how this could affect you.
020 8381 4970
