Renters' Rights Bill Report Stage: Government New Clause 14
372
Ayes
—
114
Noes
Passed · Government won
161 did not vote
Analysis
Commons
Commons
**What happened:** On 14 January 2025, the House of Commons voted on Government New Clause 14 during the Report Stage of the Renters' Rights Bill. The clause, which added government-proposed provisions to strengthen tenant protections and rental market reforms, passed by 372 votes to 114. **Why it matters:** New Clause 14 formed part of the government's package of rental reforms, advancing additional regulatory measures for the private rental sector. The Renters' Rights Bill as a whole represents a significant overhaul of private tenancy law in England, including the abolition of Section 21 "no-fault" evictions, new standards for landlords, and stronger rights for tenants. This clause contributed to that broader legislative effort, affecting millions of private renters and their landlords across the country. **The politics:** The vote divided almost entirely along party lines. All 351 Labour and Labour and Co-operative MPs who voted supported the clause, as did the Greens, the SDLP, and most other smaller parties. All 106 Conservative MPs who voted opposed it, joined by all six Reform UK members who voted and three independents. There were no notable cross-party rebels in either direction. The Bill continued to its Third Reading the same day, where it passed by 440 votes to 111, indicating broad and consistent government support throughout the final Commons stages.
Voting Aye meant
Support capping upfront rent in advance to one month, protecting renters from landlords demanding large sums before a tenancy starts
Voting No meant
Oppose this specific government amendment, either preferring a stricter two-month cap (as proposed in opposition New Clause 1) or opposing the Renters' Rights Bill more broadly
486 voting MPs. Each dot is one vote; left-to-right by party. Grey dots in the centre are the 161 who did not vote.
Aye
No
Absent
Labour PartyWhipped Aye
315
0
47
Conservative and Unionist PartyWhipped No
0
106
10
Liberal Democrats
0
0
72
Labour and Co-operative PartyWhipped Aye
36
0
6
Independent
9
3
2
Scottish National Party
0
0
9
Reform UKWhipped No
0
6
1
Sinn Féin
0
0
7
Democratic Unionist PartyWhipped Aye
3
1
1
Green Party of England and WalesWhipped Aye
4
0
—
Plaid Cymru
0
0
4
Social Democratic and Labour Party
2
0
—
Alliance Party of Northern Ireland
0
0
1
Speaker
0
0
1
Traditional Unionist Voice
1
0
—
Ulster Unionist Party
1
0
—
Your Party
1
0
—
Government amendments strengthen tenant protections by capping rent in advance at one month, limiting guarantor liability after tenant death, enabling landlord possession for redevelopment with alternative accommodation, and improving enforcement through database fees and ombudsman provisions.Labour · Voted aye · Read full speech (9,275 words) →
Bill creates unintended problems: locks out financially vulnerable tenants (poor credit scores, foreign workers, retirees) by removing rent-in-advance flexibility; imposes massive unfunded burdens on councils; lacks impact assessment; risks reducing housing supply as landlords exit sector or use short-term lets instead.Conservative · Voted no · Read full speech (2,176 words) →
Supports ending no-fault evictions and key protections, but amendments needed: extend student housing protections to off-street lets; limit in-tenancy rent increases to Bank of England base rate; require landlords to pay alternative accommodation costs; apply decent homes standard to military service family accommodation.Liberal Democrat · Voted no_vote_recorded · Read full speech (2,237 words) →
Highlights tenant vulnerabilities in London and south-east where rent-in-advance demands are astronomical (equivalent to home purchase deposits); welcomes reforms but notes enforcement and council capacity are critical.Labour · Voted aye · Read full speech (1,943 words) →
Seeks amendment to extend decent homes standard to Ministry of Defence service family accommodation to ensure service families receive same protections as other tenants.Labour · Voted no_vote_recorded · Read full speech (87 words) →
Warns that landlords are pre-emptively raising rents and terminating tenancies before the Bill takes effect; calls for immediate interim protections during transition period.Independent · Voted aye · Read full speech (1,265 words) →
Supports Bill as homelessness charity worker; measures will help charities provide more support to homeless people seeking rental accommodation.Labour · Voted aye · Read full speech (92 words) →
New clause 22 should require landlords to hold insurance and pay for alternative accommodation when properties become uninhabitable; current situation leaves tenants thousands of pounds out of pocket.Liberal Democrat · Voted no_vote_recorded · Read full speech (150 words) →
Sources
Division dataUK Parliament Votes API
DebateHansard · Commons
Stance analysisAI analysis · Claude 4.x
LicenceOpen Parliament Licence v3.0