New developments are emerging around the final stages of the Renters Rights Bill as it makes its way through Parliament, with several anti-landlord amendments now being proposed.
Two of the latest amendments focus specifically on licensing schemes and have been put forward by Lord Shipley, a Liberal Democrat peer. Lord Shipley is known for his senior role in the Local Government Association and is also a former leader of Newcastle council.
According to Lord Shipley, the purpose of these amendments is to remove what he describes as “unnecessary barriers” that currently limit how licensing schemes can be used to improve the standard of rental housing.
One of the amendments seeks to address what its supporters believe is a flaw in the current legal framework. At present, councils are allowed to introduce selective licensing to target poor housing conditions, but the law doesn’t allow those same licences to include conditions that require landlords to physically upgrade their properties.
The second proposed change would extend the maximum duration for both additional licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) and selective licensing schemes. If passed, the limit would rise from five to ten years.
Advocates for this amendment argue that longer licensing periods would help local authorities manage their schemes more effectively. They believe it would remove the need for councils to conduct frequent reassessments and public consultations, reducing administrative burden.
These proposed changes have received the backing of the Renters’ Reform Coalition, an umbrella group made up of 19 campaigning organisations and housing-focused charities.
Supporters of the amendments claim that empowering local authorities with stronger and longer-lasting licensing powers is a necessary step toward improving living standards for renters across the country.
Critics from the landlord community, however, fear that such measures could impose further costs and regulatory hurdles on landlords, particularly smaller operators.
The wider landlord sector is closely watching developments, as these proposals could significantly change the compliance landscape for rental properties if adopted.
Landlords have already expressed concerns that the ongoing tightening of regulation could discourage investment and worsen the shortage of rental housing.
With licensing often seen as a local authority tool for raising standards, debates continue about how far such powers should be allowed to go without overburdening landlords.
The Renters Rights Bill, of which these amendments are part, is set to enter its Report Stage in the House of Lords on Tuesday, 1st July.
This stage in the legislative process is a critical point where further scrutiny and revisions are made before the Bill moves forward.
It is expected that the full Report Stage may take place over three days during the first half of July, allowing peers time to debate the amendments in detail.
As the Bill progresses, landlords, letting agents, and local councils alike are being urged to stay informed, as the final version of the legislation could have significant implications across the private rented sector.
Once the Report Stage in the House of Lords is completed, the Bill moves on to the Third Reading. This step is usually swift and involves a final review without significant debate.
Following the Third Reading, the Bill—now updated with any amendments made by the Lords—is returned to the House of Commons. There, MPs review the changes during what is known as the “Consideration of Lords Amendments.”
At this stage, Members of Parliament have a few options: they can accept the amendments, reject them, or propose alternative changes. If disagreements arise between the two Houses, the Bill may pass back and forth in a process often referred to as “ping pong.” However, such back-and-forth is not expected to occur in this case.
Once both the House of Commons and the House of Lords reach agreement on the final wording, the Bill proceeds to Royal Assent.
When Royal Assent is granted, the Bill officially becomes law and is added to the statute books.
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