The state of UK politics leaves a lot to be desired at the moment. While we rightly turn our nose up at government shutdowns, filibustering and generally maniacal statements from politicians across the pond, it seems the country has started to become more introspective and realise many of the shortcomings omnipresent over here.
The truth is, the UK has been politically strange for a long time. We often hear of "our unique place in the world" and of the "incredible leadership" displayed by the UK but this angers voters more because they don't seem to feel the effects of this in their day to day lives.
It's irresponsible to paint all MPs with the same brush, as many take their job seriously and do effective work. But it's also fair to say that there are some outright lunatics in Parliament these days.
I say all this to say - when we are so vocal in our criticism of elected officials, we should also be vocal in our praise. Parliament did its job this week and that should be applauded.
After years of campaigning and debate, the Renters’ Rights Bill finally entered the statute book — and for millions of tenants across England, it marks a shift in the balance of power between renters and landlords.
It would be easy to assume this will ultimately make no difference. And who can really blame people for feeling this way? It would also be easy to channel your inner Roy Keane and point out that this is the job of Parliamentarians, and they shouldn't be praised for doing something they are paid extremely well to do. But this is a historic piece of legislation. This isn't the Salmon Act (Google it).
For homelessness and rough sleeping, the bill is more than a matter of housing policy; it could launch efforts to prevent homelessness at its source.
The new legislation ends Section 21 “no-fault” evictions, meaning tenants can no longer be evicted without a "valid reason". It also replaces most fixed-term tenancies with rolling ones, enhances protections from unfair rent hikes, and prohibits discrimination against renters who receive benefits or have children. There are also new restrictions on how often rents can be increased, and councils will have stronger powers to penalise rogue landlords.
In a press release, the government said England’s 11 million private renters were "granted the most significant increase to their rights in a generation".
FPH and other charities in the sector have consistently said the best way to tackle homelessness is to stop it before it starts. One of the most common triggers for homelessness in recent years has been the sudden loss of a private rented home, often through a Section 21 eviction. Without notice or fault, a family could be told to leave, with little time to secure another property in a difficult market.
By abolishing no-fault evictions, the bill could significantly reduce this risk. Greater security should mean fewer families falling into temporary accommodation or rough sleeping. It should also allow for earlier intervention, helping manage arrears and keep tenancies.
The legislation also calls for improved quality of housing. Tenants in unsafe homes will be able to challenge conditions without fear of retaliation which increases the likelihood that these tenancies will last and that people can access help with secure accommodation.
Readers of this blog will know I am not always the most upbeat and optimistic writer, and with that in mind I will explain the negatives.
While the Bill strengthens tenant protections, it won’t magically end homelessness.
It has been suggested that it could prompt some landlords to exit the private rental market, reducing available homes and driving up rents. Charities supporting people out of homelessness may face increased challenges, as enforcement powers may be limited without adequate council resources, leaving the new rights largely theoretical.
Charities that rely on leasing private properties to house people exiting homelessness could also be in a difficult position if landlords decide to sell or restrict access to those on benefits. The government’s promise of stronger enforcement powers is all well and good, but without sufficient resourcing for local authorities, the new rights could again be theoretical.
The Bill’s implementation will be phased, meaning the old system will continue to apply to many existing tenancies for months (at a minimum) to come. There isnt much that can be done about this and it is not really something to be critical about as you can't simply overhaul years of a policy overnight.
And, crucially, housing reform can only ever address one part of the homelessness crisis. Many people sleeping rough face issues ranging from poor mental health and substance abuse to trauma and financial trouble. These also often compound.
Despite this, there is definitely cause for cautious optimism. The Renters’ Rights Bill represents a rare moment of progress in a housing system. It provides new routes to prevent homelessness and new opportunities for partnership between charities, local authorities and responsible landlords.
As has been said, implementing the changes is what matters. But amongst all of the dreary weather and headlines, Parliament did it's job and should be commended for passing this bill. Let's hope real change is enacted as a result.