Politics
Private Rented Sector Reform Bill Tracker and Effects on Liverpool Tenants
The bill requires private landlords in Liverpool to register all tenancies with the council and provide two months' notice before any rent increase.
How we reported this
The Private Rented Sector Reform Bill, advancing through its final committee stage in Parliament, introduces mandatory landlord registration and extended notice periods that apply directly to rental properties across Liverpool.
Liverpool City Council currently oversees more than 35,000 private rented homes, according to its 2025 housing stock report. National changes to tenancy rules have gained attention this year because the number of households in temporary accommodation in the city rose by 400 between April 2025 and March 2026.
Daily Costs and Notice Periods for Residents
Tenants facing a proposed rent rise will receive at least eight weeks' written notice under the new rules, giving households in areas such as Everton and Anfield additional time to budget or seek alternative accommodation. Landlords must also join a central register before they can issue new tenancies, a step the legislation states will allow Liverpool City Council to verify compliance with existing safety standards.
Residents renewing contracts after the bill receives royal assent will no longer face section 21 notices, removing the possibility of two months' eviction without stated cause. Local advocates note this change could reduce the number of households approaching the council's homelessness prevention team each month.
Next Steps and Council Preparations
The government says the policy will take effect from April 2027, with Liverpool City Council expected to begin accepting landlord registrations six months earlier. Policy analysts say the council's existing enforcement budget of £1.8 million will need reallocation to handle the new registration workload.
Council officers have scheduled public information sessions at libraries in Wavertree and Childwall for September, where residents can review sample tenancy documents that meet the bill's requirements. Further guidance will be published once the legislation completes its passage through the House of Lords.