We welcome today’s step forward in finally implementing a letting fee ban, following years of pressure from councils like Hackney.

Through our #BetterRenting campaign we launched our own voluntary ban earlier this year, with an overwhelmingly positive response from responsible letting agents, landlords, and the renters who are too often forced to pay extortionate and unwarranted charges.

While this legislation does address some issues, the proposals still don’t go far enough in creating a simple, transparent and fair system for renters - requiring them to go through a convoluted County Court process to reclaim unlawful fees, rather than placing legal obligations on letting agents to repay the fee or face a fine.

And Hackney’s 30,000 private renters will rightly question whether capping deposits at six weeks’ rent – upwards of £2,500 for a two bedroom property in the borough – will really create the “housing market that works for everyone” which the Communities Secretary describes.

The Government must now take on board views from parliament and ensure the letting fee ban is implemented as quickly as possible without further watering down. Renters have already waited long enough.