The Renters’ Rights Bill will be debated by MPs for the first time as it returns to parliament this week.

The bill’s second reading comes less than a month since it was first introduced.

The government says the proposed legislation delivers on its manifesto commitment to overhaul the experience of renters and ban Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions across new and existing tenancies at the same time.

It will also clamp down on unfair rent increases and extend the Decent Homes Standard and Awaab’s Law to the private sector for the first time.

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said: “I am determined to get this bill in to law as soon as possible. The thousands of children and families living in unsafe housing or under the cruel threat of a Section 21 eviction notice have been waiting far too long already.

“We will deliver on our promise to renters and transform the sector into one where families can put down roots, where children can grow up in healthy homes, and where young people can save for their future.”

Rayner will address the Commons, highlighting key parts of the bill, including:

• Tenants will be in a stronger position to challenge unreasonable rent increases supported by a tribunal and landlords will only be allowed to raise the rent once a year and only to the market rate, which will put an end unfair hikes
• Tenants will get a quicker resolution over disputes, cutting down on the need to go though the courts through a new ombudsman service
• Local councils will be given stronger powers to crack down on unscrupulous landlords.  Maximum fines will be increased to up to £40,000 for serious offenders
• A new database for landlords to share important information on their property standards, showing their compliance with the law and helping councils drive out the minority of criminal landlords
• Tenants will be able request to have a pet and landlords will not be able to unreasonably refuse. Unfair decisions can be challenged so renters will not have to make a difficult choice between a beloved pet or a home.

Chris Norris, Policy and Campaigns Director for the National Residential Landlords Association, said: “The changes MPs will debate are the biggest shake up of the rental market for over 30 years. The proposed reforms need to secure the confidence of both tenants and responsible landlords if they are to work.

“Whilst the bill should ensure that every tenant can live securely in decent housing, it should also avoid throwing the baby out with the bathwater.

“Private tenants are more likely to be happy with the housing services provided to them than all other tenures, with 82% reporting satisfaction with their accommodation. The reality is that the vast majority of tenants already have a good relationship with their landlord. This should be the norm for everyone in the sector.

“Most importantly, with an average of 21 tenants now competing for every available home to rent, the bill must not worsen an already chronic shortage of homes in the sector. All this would do is weaken tenants’ purchasing power, making it more difficult for them to hold rogue and criminal landlords to account as a result.”