If the Tenants Bill of Rights becomes law next spring, agents will face a significant increase in the challenge of raising rents, warns Leapit's Steve Richmond (main image)
Even before RRBs became law, research by proptech company Reapit found that the number of fair or market rent cases brought in the Housing and Property Courts in England had increased from 483 to 921 in the past four years. increased by almost 89%. 
If passed into law, Section 13 will be the only method landlords can use to increase rent, but this can only happen once a year. Any UK tenant who receives this notice can challenge the rent increase, potentially sending millions more cases to court each year.
Both tenants and landlords will be dissatisfied. ”
It is likely to lead to significant delays in an already overburdened court system in the midst of a digitalization process that is proving problematic.
Reapit UK&I general manager Steve Richmond highlighted the need for further investment and reform to expand the capacity of the courts before the bill becomes law, saying:
tense system
“The Tenants Bill of Rights brings significant changes, but it also puts further pressure on an already strained system.
“We are also concerned that the Government has not sufficiently considered the additional costs to courts and tribunals, as impact assessments have not been published.
He added: “We are concerned about unintended consequences if landlords do not have confidence in the court and tribunal systems to process rent appeals and evictions quickly and fairly.
“The government needs to address the backlog in courts and tribunals, as long delays create months of uncertainty for both landlords and tenants. I'm concerned that this could lead to landlords pulling out of this area.
“This comes at a time when more housing is urgently needed in the PRS.”
