Following the bill’s report stage in the House of Commons on 14 January 2025, the Second Reading took place in the House of Lords on 4 February 2025.
This session provided the members with an opportunity to debate the main principles and objectives of the bill. Despite previous calls for the bill to be revised to address potential concerns, no amendments were made at this stage. There was no vote, and the bill will now proceed to the Committee of the Whole House.
Next stages
The Committee of the Whole House is the next step, where the bill will be debated in detail and potential amendments can be suggested and debated.
Following this, the Report Stage provides a further opportunity for review and amendments before the bill moves to its Third Reading in the House of Lords.
Anticipated timeline
Whilst specific dates for the remaining stages have not yet been confirmed, the government is aiming for the bill to receive Royal assent in spring 2025.
Once this has happened, a commencement date will be set, from which the new system will apply to all tenancies, existing and new. After this point, landlords will no longer be able to serve a Section 21 ‘no fault’ eviction notice.
There will be a transitional period for notices served prior to this date. The specific duration of this period will be outlined in the final act, but it is likely this will last for a few months to allow for a smooth transition.
The government’s aim is for the bill to become law and take effect over summer 2025. As things stand, the bill is on track to achieve that aim.
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