Grainger praises UK Renters' Rights Bill, foresees sector growth

Grainger, the UK's largest listed provider of private rental homes and a key player in the BTR sector, has expressed strong support for the UK Renters' Rights Bill.

Canning Town - Grainger

The Bill, which has successfully passed through the House of Commons, is now awaiting Royal Assent. With implementation anticipated in 2026, the company believes the new legislation strikes a crucial balance between enhancing tenant security and maintaining an attractive market for long-term, responsible investors.
The bill introduces significant reforms to the private rented sector, including the abolition of no-fault evictions, the introduction of open-ended tenancies, and a national decent homes standard. 
Grainger chief executive Helen Gordon commented: "We welcome the passage of the UK Renters' Rights Bill, which we believe will raise standards across the private rented sector while ensuring the market remains attractive to long-term, responsible investors. The abolition of no-fault evictions, when coupled with court reform and robust processes for addressing poor tenant behaviour, strikes the right balance between improving security for renters and protecting communities.”
A key point of reassurance for investors, according to Gordon, is the government's decision to rule out rent controls. "By confirming that rents will remain aligned to the open market and ruling out rent controls, the Government is providing stability for investors and landlords, while ensuring reforms deliver stronger rights and greater confidence for renters,” she added.
Grainger also welcomes the introduction of an annual open-market rent review process and the commitment to screening and backdating for rent challenges, which will protect tenants from egregious rent rises while preventing spurious claims.
Grainger emphasized that its existing standards and policies already largely comply with the new framework, including a pet-friendly policy and a portfolio of high-quality, modern homes that meet the Decent Homes Standard. The move towards open-ended periodic tenancies is also welcomed, as it encourages longer stays, consistent with their focus on high customer retention. Furthermore, Grainger welcomed the government's explicit acknowledgement and support for the BTR sector as a vital component of future housing policy. 
Grainger currently manages over 11,000 rental homes, with an additional 4,500 BTR homes in its £1.3 bn (€1.5 bn) pipeline.