Introduction of the Renters Reform Bill

The Renters Reform Bill was introduced to the House of Commons on May 17th, 2023. However, an Impact Assessment (IA) was not published alongside the Bill at that time, raising concerns about its evaluation process.

Initial Scrutiny of the Impact Assessment

The Impact Assessment was first submitted to the Regulatory Policy Committee (RPC) for review on March 24th, 2023. After careful scrutiny, the RPC provided initial feedback to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) on April 28th. The RPC deemed the Impact Assessment inadequate, highlighting its lack of robustness and pinpointing specific areas requiring amendments. The RPC warned that if these concerns were not properly addressed, the Impact Assessment would receive a negative or red-rated review.

Government’s Response and Revisions

In response to the RPC's feedback, DLUHC submitted a revised Impact Assessment on May 16th, 2023. This version aimed to address the issues raised in the initial review.

Ongoing Review Process

Currently, the RPC is in the process of reviewing this revised Impact Assessment. Following this scrutiny, the RPC will issue an opinion assessing the updated document. This opinion will then be shared with both the government and Parliament, helping guide final decision-making and supporting parliamentary scrutiny.

Final Opinion Issued by the RPC

On June 21st, 2023, the Regulatory Policy Committee (RPC) issued its official opinion to DLUHC regarding the revised Impact Assessment for the Renters Reform Bill. While the RPC deemed the revised Impact Assessment 'fit for purpose,' it also suggested further improvements to strengthen its findings.

Publication and Parliamentary Scrutiny

Both the Impact Assessment and the RPC’s opinions were published on July 3rd, 2023. The RPC plays a crucial role in ensuring the robustness of evidence and analysis behind government decisions. By publishing these opinions, the RPC supports parliamentarians and external stakeholders, ensuring transparency and allowing for informed scrutiny of regulatory proposals before they become law.