Millions of renters in England are one step closer to receiving enhanced rights following the formal approval of a new law.
The Renters’ Rights Bill has been granted Royal Assent, with the Government estimating its impact on 11 million private renters and 2.3 million landlords.
Key provisions of the Bill include the elimination of Section 21 “no fault” evictions and provisions for pet ownership rights. These changes are specific to rental properties in England and the details of implementation will be disclosed in the upcoming weeks.
The Renters’ Reform Coalition, comprising organizations like Shelter, Generation Rent, and Citizens Advice, hailed the alterations as a significant advancement in renters’ rights.
The National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) expressed its commitment to collaborating with the Government to ensure fair and feasible implementation of the reforms.
The Renters’ Rights Bill will put an end to Section 21 evictions, which enable landlords to terminate tenancies without justification. Landlords will be prohibited from selling or occupying a property within the initial 12 months of a tenancy, after which a four-month notice period will be mandatory.
Eviction of tenants will be permissible under specific circumstances such as rent arrears, property damage, or antisocial behavior. The threshold for issuing a Section 8 eviction notice due to rent arrears will be extended from two to three months.
Furthermore, all tenancies will transition to a “periodic” or rolling arrangement, replacing fixed-term agreements. Tenants will have improved rights to request pet ownership, subject to the landlord’s reasonable consideration.
Discrimination against benefit claimants or families with children by landlords and estate agents will be outlawed. However, all tenants will still undergo reference and affordability checks.
To prevent bidding wars and ensure affordability, landlords and estate agents will be prohibited from soliciting offers exceeding the advertised rent. They will be mandated to disclose an asking rent, and accepting offers above this rate will be illegal.
These reforms are poised to introduce a significant shift in the rental landscape, benefitting both tenants and landlords alike.
