Update from Sean Hooker, Head of Redress at the Property Redress Scheme, following the introduction of the Renters (Reform) Bill

I thought I’d give you a quick update, as you have doubtlessly seen all the publicity about the Renters (Reform) Bill, which is going through Parliament.

We have been anticipating these proposed changes for over four years now, however one event after another has meant it has taken until now for the details to finally emerge and the journey to law beginning.

It must be stressed that despite the publication of the Bill, this is only the start of the process - nothing has changed yet.  This will remain the case until the Bill passes into law and its various parts are implemented.

How long this will be is difficult to say as the parliamentary process depends on a number of factors. Although the Bill followed an earlier White Paper, which was consulted on and scrutinised by MPs and sector representatives, it is unlikely that all the parts will just be waved through. The parliamentary timetable will need to allow time for it to be properly debated and examined. We are therefore looking at many more months before the Bill becomes an Act of Parliament. Even then, a transition period is likely to implement changes – this period of time may be different depending on the changes that need to be made (and the work needed to bring them into effect). It is unlikely therefore that everything will happen in one big hit.  

Some of you may however be getting enquiries from your landlords and tenants as well as having questions of your own. This is why we have put together a number of guides and help sheets, summarising the proposals and how they will affect your business. This information will be kept up-to-date by our team of experts from within the HFIS group - and from our access to top experts in the sector who have their finger on the pulse.

Our partner, Total Landlord, has launched a Renters (Reform) Bill hub where you will find all the latest updates. We will be supplementing the written guidance with video interviews, Q&A webinars, podcasts and our regular newsletters as the details unfold. For my initial reaction to the Bill, you can also listen to a bonus episode of The Property Cast with special guest and UK property expert, Kate Faulkner OBE.

We will also work with LandlordZONE to make sure we reach out to the landlord community and help reassure and support them. You can read the latest in my series of blogs for LandlordZONE on the Renters (Reform) Bill here.  You can also use our resources to help advise and inform the tenants under your care and to help make sure you are providing the best possible service to them when it comes to being informed and prepared for the changes.

Most of these resources will be available to you free of charge as members of the PRS or other agent services provided by the HFIS group. We will also signpost you to additional useful resources such as the Government’s own guidance and other organisations that you may choose to join. If, however, you want a specific or dedicated route to answer your questions, then you may consider joining HF Assist, which is available to all letting agents as an optional extra. Discounts are available for HF Assist subscriptions if you are an existing mydeposits, Client Money Protect or any other HFIS group customer. A subscription gives you access to our expert team at the end of the phone or through a dedicated online chat service.