News
Renters Reform Bill - MPs to hear agents’ worries today
Tuesday 14th November 2023
A senior Propertymark official will today tell MPs of the industry’s concerns about the Renters Reform Bill.
The Bill has reached the so-called committee stage - when it’s scrutinised by an all-party group of MPs.
The committee is reported to be going ahead even though Tory MP Rachel Maclean, who until yesterday was Housing Minister, has now been sacked in Rishi Sunak's reshuffle. Maclean was to have introduced the Bill to the committee on behalf of the government.
Timothy Douglas, head of policy and campaigns, will appear before the committee today and says: “Propertymark is committed to ensuring that the Bill is evidence-based, and the role of property agents is incorporated fairly within the introduction of a new Ombudsman for landlords, and agents can play a full role in increasing property standards.
“We want to see a use of fixed term tenancies where both parties want one - this is particularly important for the student sector, a role for inventories within the reforms, strengthened mandatory grounds and the qualification and regulation of property agents through utilising the registration requirements contained within the PRS Database proposals.
“We look forward to providing evidence to the Committee and working with the UK Government to ensure the reforms are fit the purpose.”
Propertymark will also submit a written submission to the committee based around a number of key calls including court reform, fixed term tenancies, qualification and regulation of property agents, pets, inventories and written tenancy agreements.