Millions of tenants in England are now one step closer to receiving expanded rights following the recent 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 evictions and enhanced provisions regarding pet ownership rights for tenants.
While these regulations are not yet in effect and will specifically apply to rentals in England, further guidance on the implementation of the reforms is expected to be unveiled in the upcoming weeks.
The Renters’ Reform Coalition, comprising organizations like Shelter, Generation Rent, and Citizens Advice, hailed the changes as a significant improvement in tenants’ rights.
Conversely, the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) expressed its commitment to collaborating with the Government to ensure the equitable and feasible implementation of the reforms.
The Renters’ Rights Bill will bring an end to Section 21 evictions, which allow landlords to terminate tenancies without cause.
Additionally, landlords will be prohibited from selling or occupying a property within the first year of a tenancy, after which they must provide a four-month notice period.
Landlords retain the right to evict tenants promptly in cases of rental arrears, property damage, or antisocial behavior, with the notice period increasing from two to three months for rent arrears issues.
Under the updated regulations, all tenancies will transition to rolling or periodic agreements, eliminating fixed-term contracts that typically span from six months to two years.
Tenants will have improved rights to request pet ownership, with landlords obligated to consider and reasonably evaluate such requests, subject to challenge through the new Private Rented Sector Ombudsman.
Discrimination against benefit claimants or families with children by landlords and estate agents will be outlawed, although all tenants will still undergo reference and affordability assessments.
Furthermore, landlords and estate agents will no longer be permitted to solicit offers exceeding the advertised rent, aiming to prevent bidding wars that hinder access to affordable housing.
Mandatory publication of an asking rent by landlords and estate agents will be enforced, with offers above this rate deemed illegal under the new legislation.