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Fears of landlord exodus raised in Lords debate on Renters’ Rights Act

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Fears of landlord exodus raised in Lords debate on Renters’ Rights Act

Peers have clashed over the Renters’ Rights Act, arguing “landlords are voting with their feet” and choosing to leave the market.

In oral questions in the House of Lords, several Peers challenged the government over landlords exiting the market due to the Renters’ Rights Act.

However, Labour Peers claimed the act will lead to better conditions for renters and is fair for good landlords and tenants.

Landlords exiting the market in even higher numbers

Lord Jamieson from the Conservatives tabled a question regarding how landlords, tenants and councils are prepared for the Renters’ Rights Act.

Lord Jamieson raised the point many landlords have chosen to exit the market before the act comes into force on 1 May 2026.

He said: “Landlords are voting with their feet, exiting the market in ever higher numbers. 93,000 in 2025 and 110,000 this year, according to the Black & White Bridging report.

“The English Private Landlord Survey reveals 31% of landlords are looking to reduce their portfolio and 16% to exit completely. Can the Minister explain how this helps those desperately looking for a home to rent?”

Baroness Taylor of Stevenage, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Housing, claimed the government has worked with landlords to help them prepare.

She said: “We know landlords need time ahead of the implementation to make sure they’re compliant with the reforms which is why we’ve published full guidance on the government website.

“We continue to work constructively with the landlord sector. Officials recently spoke to over 1,000 landlords and letting agents at a webinar organised by Rightmove and attended the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) conference to speak directly to landlords impacted by the reforms.”

Lead to better conditions for renters

Lord Harper from the Conservatives challenged Baroness Taylor directly over the Act asking: “Does she think the changes in the Renters’ Rights Act are going to lead to more houses being available to rent or fewer?”

Baroness Taylor swerved the question but claimed: “I think it will lead to better conditions for renters and it will remove some of the barriers that stop people from renting.

“We have banned rental bidding to level the playing field for renters and landlords will no longer be able to encourage prospective renters to stretch themselves beyond their means and can’t discriminate against tenants on benefits or with children.

“We think the work we’ve done with landlord and tenant groups means we have a fair system that rewards good landlords and tenants but makes sure that bad landlords are held to account for the bad practices they’ve had in place.”

You can watch a clip of the Lords debate below

House_of_Lords_11_02_26_15_07_35(1)

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