The Social Housing Bill [HL] received its second reading in the House of Lords on 1 June 2026. The Bill focuses on social housing but contains Right to Buy reforms and domestic abuse possession powers that may have indirect implications for the PRS. Committee stage is provisionally scheduled for 15 and 17 June 2026.
Legislative progress. The Social Housing Bill [HL] was introduced in the House of Lords on 14 May 2026, with second reading scheduled for and taking place on 1 June 2026; the government has published explanatory notes and a series of other supporting documents to accompany the Bill, including a delegated powers memorandum and a human rights memorandum.
Once the Bill receives a second reading, it will proceed to Committee Stage in Committee of the Whole House, with the government provisionally scheduling two days for this debate on 15 and 17 June 2026.
Key provisions. The Social Housing Bill [HL] is a government Bill intended to support growth in the social housing sector in England and improve the efficiency of the current Right to Buy system; it also includes provisions intended to protect the victims of domestic abuse.
Specific measures include extending the period before which Right to Buy can be exercised from three years to ten years, creating an indefinite right of first refusal for former landlords of Right to Buy properties on resale, exempting newly constructed social housing from Right to Buy, and extending the discount repayment period from five to ten years.
Domestic abuse possession powers. The Bill contains specific tenancy reform measures intended to strengthen housing security for victims of domestic abuse within the social housing sector; it introduces powers enabling landlords to seek possession against perpetrators without requiring the victim to leave the property, and establishes mechanisms for transferring joint tenancies into the sole name of the victim where appropriate, alongside safeguards preventing perpetrators from ending a tenancy in retaliation during proceedings. These provisions are targeted at social housing landlords, but the underlying joint tenancy loophole is structurally identical in the PRS; private landlords should monitor any government signals about extending similar powers to the private sector.
PRS relevance. The Bill as currently drafted does not directly impose new obligations on private landlords. However, the Bill would also require private providers of social housing to notify the local authority before selling a property ? a transparency obligation that may signal future expectations for the broader PRS. Committee stage begins imminently and amendments are possible.
Action required
No immediate action required for PRS landlords. Monitor progress of the Bill through Committee stage (provisionally 15 and 17 June 2026) for any amendments that extend scope to the private rented sector. In particular, watch for any provisions linked to possession grounds for domestic abuse situations where a private landlord holds a joint tenancy.
Effective
2026-06-01
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