A new law in England has been officially approved, bringing millions of renters closer to increased rights. The Renters’ Rights Bill, which has received Royal Assent, is set to impact 11 million private renters and 2.3 million landlords. Key measures in the bill include the elimination of Section 21 “no fault” evictions and provisions for pet ownership rights.
Although the new regulations are not yet in effect and will only apply to rentals in England, further details on the implementation of the reforms will be announced in the coming weeks. The Renters’ Reform Coalition, comprising organizations like Shelter, Generation Rent, and Citizens Advice, hailed the changes as a significant enhancement of renters’ rights, while the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) expressed commitment to collaborating with the Government to ensure fair and feasible implementation of the reforms.
Under the Renters’ Rights Bill, Section 21 evictions will be discontinued, preventing landlords from ending tenancies without cause. Landlords will be prohibited from selling or moving into a property within the initial 12 months of a tenancy, and a four-month notice will be required thereafter. The bill also stipulates that tenants can be evicted for rent arrears, property damage, or antisocial behavior, with the notice period extended to three months for rent arrears.
Furthermore, all tenancies will transition to periodic agreements rather than fixed-term contracts, offering tenants more flexibility. Tenants will have enhanced rights to request pet ownership, with landlords obliged to consider such requests reasonably. Tenants who feel unfairly denied the opportunity to have a pet can challenge the decision through the Private Rented Sector Ombudsman. Discrimination against benefit claimants or families with children by landlords or estate agents will be outlawed, though standard reference and affordability checks will still apply.
Additionally, landlords and estate agents will no longer be allowed to solicit rent offers above the advertised rate, aiming to eliminate bidding wars and ensure fair access to affordable housing. They must disclose a set asking rent for their properties, and accepting offers exceeding this rate will be illegal.