Maria has experience in a variety of areas including the prosecution of landlords under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, homelessness and allocations, possession proceedings, cases involving anti-social behaviour, and issues under the Equality Act 2010. During pupillage, Maria assisted with a wide range of defence cases in both the Magistrates and Crown Courts, as well as the Court of Appeal. In her Housing seat, Maria worked a variety of areas including the prosecution of landlords under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, homelessness and allocations, possession claims and cases involving anti-social behaviour.

In this presentation Maria outlines a long awaited motion, which is currently in the process of being formulated. She highlights the implications this bill will have for social housing tenants in particulas. She explains how the Renter’s Reform Bill 2023 broadly seeks to make it more difficult for landlords to be unreasonable, enhance the security of tenure and end assured short hold tenancies. However, she warns that the bill is not as “rosy” as it comes across, highlighting causes for concern.

Key words/topics:

Renter’s Reform Bill 2023

Social housing

Landlords

Security of tenure

Probationary periods

New and altered grounds of possession

Section 8 Ground 14

Eviction

New landlord redress system

New ombudsman

New landlord database

Rent increases