Renters' Rights Bill Report Stage: Government New Clause 14

What happened: On 14 January 2025, the House of Commons voted on Government New Clause 14 during the Report Stage of the Renters' Rights Bill. The clause, which added government-proposed provisions to strengthen tenant protections and rental market reforms, passed by 372 votes to 114.

Why it matters: New Clause 14 formed part of the government's package of rental reforms, advancing additional regulatory measures for the private rental sector. The Renters' Rights Bill as a whole represents a significant overhaul of private tenancy law in England, including the abolition of Section 21 "no-fault" evictions, new standards for landlords, and stronger rights for tenants. This clause contributed to that broader legislative effort, affecting millions of private renters and their landlords across the country.

The politics: The vote divided almost entirely along party lines. All 351 Labour and Labour and Co-operative MPs who voted supported the clause, as did the Greens, the SDLP, and most other smaller parties. All 106 Conservative MPs who voted opposed it, joined by all six Reform UK members who voted and three independents. There were no notable cross-party rebels in either direction. The Bill continued to its Third Reading the same day, where it passed by 440 votes to 111, indicating broad and consistent government support throughout the final Commons stages.