A new government is in place and private rental reform is back on the agenda. As the Nationwide Foundation celebrates four years of funding the Renters Reform Coalition, it also looks ahead to the potential for the next phase of campaigning, with a new joint funder – Lloyds Bank Foundation for England and Wales.
The beginning
Wherever we live, we all need a decent, safe and affordable home to be able to thrive. But that is not the reality for many of the 4.6 million people in the private rented sector (PRS) in England – more than double the number 20 years ago. Sadly, data shows that 29% of renters find it difficult to pay their rent and one in five of privately rented homes in the UK falls short of basic safety and decency standards.
This isn’t right. But we firmly believe that by working together with stakeholders across the PRS, with one unified voice, we can influence key legislation and deliver fundamental reform.
That’s why in 2020, the Nationwide Foundation began funding the Renters’ Reform Coalition (RRC). The RRC is made up of then 20 leading organisations who represent and advocate for private renters, with an aim of positively influencing private rental reform. It was set up shortly after the government announced its intention to deliver private rental reform and is hosted by campaign group Generation Rent.
The RRC’s core focus has been to achieve reform of the laws and regulations which govern private renting, and as a result, improve the rights and protections given to private renters in England. This links directly to the Nationwide Foundation’s long-term aim to strengthen the voice of renters and improve their protections from poverty and harm.
What we’ve achieved so far
We know that only a unified movement can deliver private renting reform, and so throughout its life, the RRC has focused on strengthening relationships and collaboration between the renters’ movement, to build a strong and unified coalition. By working together towards a shared goal, the coalition has bridged the gap between organisations with different perspectives; with all members recognising that we are better united.
We also know that to drive change, people need to grasp the scale and impact of the issues within the private rented sector. The coalition has run several creative and successful campaigns reflecting the human impact of insecure, poor-quality, and unaffordable housing, and made its voice heard across the PRS debate, particularly in the media. As a result, public and media attention to private renting is now higher than it has ever been.
RRC members gathered at the ’ Day of Action. Credit: Ben Mann
To achieve change that truly works for renters, we need to link the voices and priorities of renters directly to those with the power to change things. Over time, the more coordinated, stronger, campaigning front of the RRC has allowed it to increase its influence and build new relationships with stakeholders, most notably, government officials and ministers. The RRC is now a significant stakeholder forum, establishing itself as a leading public campaign for pro-tenant reform.
More than anything, we need fundamental reform of the private rented sector to happen as soon as possible. The previous government announced its intention to bring forward rental reform, but progress was slow. In March 2023, the RRC held a day of action, one of the biggest coordinated political actions ever taken by private renters, with hundreds of renters from across the country coming together outside parliament to call for the government to bring forward the promised Renters’ Reform Bill as swiftly as possible. Shortly afterwards, the Renters (Reform) Bill was finally introduced to parliament, thanks in part to the campaigning work led by the RRC.
RRC members, supporters and politicians (including then Shadow Housing Minister Matt Pennycook MP, second left) at a Parliamentary Reception. Credit: Kate Stanworth, Shelter
Throughout 2023/24 the RRC fought to keep private renting reform on the agenda, pushing the government to deliver change and to make this change 
work for renters. 2023 saw the beginning of the committee stage of the Renters (Reform) Bill, a key stage where MPs scrutinise the Bill and propose amendments. The coalition’s activity here provides a perfect example of its value, and the reason for the Nationwide Foundation’s funding, as eleven coalition members (including the Foundation) gave evidence to the committee (shown in the picture right) with a co-ordinated and consistent set of policy asks that had been worked through and agreed by members – including sharing the voices and personal stories of renters. Several of these demands were brought forward as amendments during the committee stage by the Labour Party shadow housing minister, who also convened a roundtable of coalition members prior to the hearings.
In May 2024, despite years of powerful and united campaigning from the RRC, progress of the Renters (Reform) Bill in its current form was stalled indefinitely as the general election was called for 4 July 2024.
So what comes next?
While the Nationwide Foundation has been the sole funder of the coalition since 2020, we’re excited to work in partnership with a new funder, Lloyds Bank Foundation to support the RRC to continue to lead the campaign for change in the private rented sector during a critical period.
Lloyds Bank Foundation is an independent charitable foundation which brings a wealth of new experience to the coalition. It partners with small and local charities, people and communities working towards a more just and compassionate society and ensuring people facing complex issues and barriers have support and opportunities to overcome them. It has deep roots in local communities and organisations across England and Wales, and a strong understanding of the interrelated problems in the private rented sector and the changes needed.
With this new joint funding partnership, over the next couple of years the RRC is empowered to continue to push for change – most importantly through the new rental reform package announced by the government in the Kings Speech. The RRC will:
- Amplify and bring together voices in the renters’ movement to bring pressure on the new government to implement policy that strengthens renters’ rights.
- Campaign and influence for private rental reform to deliver real and lasting change for renters.
- Look beyond just national rental reform to the wider changes needed to deliver homes for private renters that are affordable, high-quality, and secure.
Joshua Davies, Nationwide Foundation Programme Manager for Transforming the Private Rented Sector, said: “The Renters Reform coalition has been at the forefront of the campaign for private renting reform since its inception – steadily gaining more influence and impact over the past four years. We are grateful to all members of the RRC for their collective commitment and dedication to achieving meaningful change.
“While there is much more work ahead, we eagerly anticipate the next stage of RRC campaigning, with the valued support of Lloyds Bank Foundation, and are hopeful that PRS reform will be a top priority for the new government.”
Marc Francis, from Lloyds Bank Foundation, said: “Too many people supported by the small and local charities we partner with live in poor quality, unsafe privately rented homes that are too expensive. This is impacting people’s health and life outcomes and the charities we partner with have to support more and more people who have been let down by the private rented sector. That’s why improving access to affordable and appropriate accommodation is a key priority for Lloyds Bank Foundation for England and Wales and we’re delighted to partner with Nationwide Foundation in supporting the Renters’ Reform Coalition for the next two years. The Foundation fully supports the RRC’s efforts to completely end no fault evictions and also action to improve physical and management standards in the PRS. We also look forward to working with coalition members to find ways to make renting more affordable for tenants.”
Tom Darling, Director of the Renters’ Reform Coalition, said: “The Renters’ Reform Coalition staff and members are delighted that an exciting new joint funding partnership with the Lloyds Bank Foundation and the Nationwide Foundation has been confirmed. Certainty about the future of the Coalition will enable us to redouble our influencing and campaigning at a critical moment for the renters’ movement, as the new government sets out plans for a Renters’ Rights Bill
“My team and I are grateful to both organisations for their commitment to this project and look forward to working with them in the years ahead as we campaign to ensure that all privately rented homes are secure, decent and affordable.”
While the Labour government has proposed a new bill – the Renters’ Rights Bill – the future of rental reform in the UK remains unclear. But what is certain, is the urgent need for major reform of the private rented sector, to provide good-quality, secure and affordable homes for everyone.
Over the next two years, the RRC will continue their vital work campaigning for fundamental change to the private rented sector. Through collaboration and as a collective campaigning voice for the private renters’ movement, real change is possible.