This was a lords amendment on the Renters’ Rights Bill [HL]. The Renters’ Rights Bill aims to give private tenants in England stronger protections and clearer rights in the private rental sector. In the Lords’ Committee stage, three Liberal Democrat–led amendments were agreed: bringing letting agents into the duties alongside landlords, ensuring future regulations are laid before Parliament for scrutiny, and making certain premium charges by letting agents an offence.
•Extends landlord duties to include the landlord’s agent (or both) to strengthen accountability in rentals.
•Regulations that impose duties on private landlords must be laid before both Houses of Parliament for scrutiny (parliamentary oversight).
•Letting agents would face an offence if they charge tenants any premium in connection with a tenancy; defines premium to include any fine, sum or pecuniary charge.
•Amendments were proposed by Liberal Democrat peers (Lord Tope and Baroness Grender) and agreed at Committee stage, signalling a shift toward tighter controls on fees and accountability in the private rental market.
