Senior members of the Conservative Party have engaged in private discussions with large landlords regarding strategies to counteract the government's proposed renters' rights bill.

Among the tactics discussed is the possibility of a legal challenge based on human rights laws, as revealed in conversations following a recent roundtable hosted by Jane Scott, shadow housing minister.

Attendees included prominent figures from several major property firms and estate agencies, exploring options to delay or halt the bill’s progression.

Reports from individuals who attended the meeting indicate that the group considered various methods for obstructing the bill, including protracted rounds of amendments in the House of Lords.

These discussions have raised concerns about a perceived collusion between Conservative lawmakers and the property industry, particularly given the party’s previous attempt to propose similar legislation while in government.

Policy officers from advocacy groups have expressed fears of a coordinated effort to stall the legislation, viewing it as a systematic approach to undermine public policy reforms aimed at enhancing renters' rights.

Commentators within the housing sector have condemned the tactics employed by certain political peers, arguing that they jeopardize essential protections for private renters.

The renters' rights package, championed by the Labour Party, aims to implement a ban on no-fault evictions and includes provisions against landlords charging more than listed property rents.

Additionally, it seeks to enact “Awaab’s law,” mandating landlords to undertake critical repairs within specified deadlines.

The failure of a similar initiative proposed by former Housing Secretary Michael Gove during the last administration has highlighted the contentious nature of this topic.

Among the organizations represented at Scott’s meeting were Get Living, Dexters estate agents, and the National Residential Landlord Association.

Get Living reportedly indicated that they had sought legal counsel to evaluate potential human rights implications of the bill, while Scott allegedly welcomed this consideration as a means to potentially halt the bill's progress.

In a parallel development, the Scottish Association of Landlords previously attempted to challenge similar government interventions concerning rental properties, which ultimately did not succeed, as the courts ruled against their claims of property rights violations.

While one spokesperson from Get Living emphasized support for the bill's success, they noted concerns accompanying its current formulation that might pose legal challenges for the rental sector.

Scott also expressed intentions to introduce extensive amendments that could effectively prolong legislative discussions well into the autumn.

Moreover, Scott engaged in discussions about the availability of statistical data that might indicate whether landlords are exiting the market in response to the proposed bill.

The meeting revealed differing opinions among property groups regarding the bill’s trajectory, with some advocating for swift passage with minor adjustments to ensure clarity for landlords moving forward.