Lords Approve Key Renters' Rights Bill Changes – What It Means for Landlords

As the Renters’ Rights Bill moves closer to becoming law, the House of Lords has approved several important amendments — many of them welcomed by property industry groups. If these changes are accepted by the House of Commons, they could make the Bill significantly more workable for landlords.

At Goldsmith Property, we’ve helped landlords through major legal overhauls before — most recently the sweeping reforms in Wales. If you’re a self-managing landlord in Bristol or Weston-super-Mare, these changes could directly affect how you manage your rental property.

Here’s what’s new:

🐾 Pet Deposits: A Win for Landlord Protection

The Lords have amended the Bill to allow landlords to take an additional pet deposit of up to three weeks’ rent to cover potential damage.

This replaces the government’s original proposal — which would have required tenants to take out pet insurance. Insurers warned those policies aren’t widely available or reliable, leaving landlords exposed. This new approach offers a clear, practical way to protect your property if you accept tenants with pets.

🎓 Support for Student Letting Landlords

In a crucial change for landlords letting one- and two-bedroom student properties, the Lords have extended the mandatory possession ground to include these rentals — not just HMOs.

This means you’ll still be able to regain possession each summer to make way for the next academic year — a vital clarification for many student landlords in areas like Bristol.

🏠 Fairer Sales and Rent Disputes

• The waiting period for re-letting after a sale has been reduced from 12 months to 6 months, giving landlords more flexibility.

• The government must also now review court capacity to ensure the tribunal system can cope if tenants challenge rent increases under Section 13.
  This matters because delayed rent reviews could impact income for landlords already under pressure.

🔍 Ongoing Monitoring and Review

The Lords are also calling for regular government reviews on the Bill’s impact:

• Annual reviews on how the changes affect rents and housing availability.

• A three-year review looking at tenancy security, repossessions, and homelessness.

This is a strong step toward evidence-based policymaking — and something landlords have long asked for.

✅ What Happens Next?

The Bill now returns to the House of Commons. If MPs agree to these changes, they’ll become part of the final law — with rollout expected to begin in late 2025 or early 2026.

📞 Need Help Navigating the Changes?

These amendments are good news — but the new system will still be more complex than before. If you want to:

• Understand how these rules apply to your tenancies

• Prepare for compliance with confidence

• Hand over the stress of managing everything yourself

We’re here to help.

📍 Goldsmith Property – Bristol & Weston-super-Mare
🌐 www.goldsmith-property.co.uk
📧 info@goldsmith-property.co.uk
📞 0117 442 0644

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