Renters Reform Bill: what it is, and how it can restore our homes as one of the building blocks of health

Chris Hicks, Senior Policy Officer at Crisis, explains how our homes shape our health and wellbeing, and what’s happening with the Renters Reform Bill.

Homes keep us healthy

Our homes are a cornerstone of our health and wellbeing. At Crisis, the national charity for people facing homelessness, we see evidence of this every day. It’s not hard to imagine the breathing problems associated with living in a mouldy home or stress of living somewhere we could be evicted from with barely any notice. Living somewhere where our rent is ever-increasing means we can’t afford to eat as healthily or do the things that keep us well, such as exercise. Evidence has also demonstrated the significant mental health impacts of becoming homeless or having to sleep on the streets.

It’s not hard to imagine the breathing problems associated with living in a mouldy home or stress of living somewhere we could be evicted from with barely any notice.

Unfortunately, people renting privately are more likely to live in poor-quality and unaffordable homes, with fewer rights to protect themselves from eviction. Evictions from private rented accommodation are one of the biggest drivers of homelessness.  

Promise of a ‘new deal for renters’ 

‘Section 21’ evictions (more commonly known as ‘no-fault evictions’) are the leading cause of homelessness in England. They mean tenants can be evicted where they have done nothing wrong (hence the name ‘no-fault’ evictions). In fact, a landlord doesn’t need to give a reason as to why they have decided to evict you.

‘Section 21’ evictions (more commonly known as ‘no-fault evictions’) are the leading cause of homelessness in England.

What’s more, when a tenant is served a section 21 notice, they only have two months to leave the property, which simply isn’t enough time for people to find somewhere else to live. Evidence shows that forced moves can be extremely costly, which runs to an average of £1,650 including deposits and rent in advance for a new home. This can leave many renters in financial difficulty, especially worrying given that 45% of households in the private rental sector have no savings and tend to have lower incomes than people who own their home.

Five years ago, the Government promised to improve the lives of people living in the private rental sector in England by bringing forward new legislation to end ‘section 21 evictions’ and give renters greater protections against rogue landlords. Under the new legislation, landlords would always need a reason to evict, and tenants would have more ability to challenge the reason, if landlords were acting unscrupulously. But five years on, the legislation still hasn’t passed.

What is happening with the Renters Reform Bill now?

The Government introduced the Renters Reform Bill to Parliament in May 2023. Alongside ending section 21 evictions, the Bill is proposing to make all landlords join a Property Portal so they fully understand their responsibilities. They are also proposing a Housing Ombudsman, so that tenants can more easily complain about their landlord and seek support. But in order for it to become law, it needs to pass through various stages in Parliament, including passing both the House of Commons and House of Lords. The Bill’s passage has been slow due to disagreements about its contents. 

Last month, the Bill finally completed its journey through the House of Commons. Sadly, the Government made several changes to the Bill which include a delay to implementing the end of ‘no fault’ evictions. As the Bill currently stands, these would only be ended once a review of the readiness of the courts to hear housing cases has been completed.

The Government hasn’t given any timings of when this review should be completed.

Renters have already had to wait five years since the original commitment to end ‘no fault’ evictions. Figures already show that more than 80,000 households have been threatened with homelessness following a section 21 eviction notice since the Government pledged to end section 21 in 2019. Further delays will only mean more people become homeless. There are currently over 112,000 households stuck in temporary accommodation, the highest figure in 25 years.  

What next?

We know that safe, secure, and affordable homes support our mental and physical health.  

Therefore, the Westminster Government must prioritise passing a strengthened Renters Reform Bill. Ensuring that everyone has access to a home where they don’t have to worry about being evicted with a moment’s notice would help restore healthy homes as one of the building blocks of a heathy UK.   

Crisis is the national charity for people facing homelessness. We deliver life-changing services, develop research and campaign for change across England, Scotland, and Wales. Homelessness is not inevitable. Together, we can end it.