A newly approved law in England is set to enhance the rights of millions of renters following the formal approval of the Renters’ Rights Bill. This legislation, which has received Royal Assent, is expected to impact 11 million private renters and 2.3 million landlords. Notable changes in the Bill include the elimination of Section 21 “no fault” evictions and enhanced provisions regarding pet ownership.
Although these regulations are not yet in effect and will specifically apply to rentals in England, further details on the implementation of these reforms will be disclosed in the upcoming weeks. Described as a “generational upgrade to renters’ rights” by the Renters’ Reform Coalition, which comprises organizations like Shelter, Generation Rent, and Citizens Advice, the new law aims to bring significant improvements to the rental sector.
The National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) has expressed its commitment to collaborating with the Government to ensure that these reforms are executed in a fair and feasible manner. Key highlights of the Renters’ Rights Bill include the prohibition of Section 21 evictions, restrictions on landlords from selling or occupying properties within the first year of a tenancy, and the extension of notice periods for eviction under specific circumstances.
Moreover, the legislation mandates that all tenancies will be periodic rather than fixed, offering tenants greater flexibility. It also grants tenants the right to request a pet in the property, with landlords obligated to consider these requests reasonably. Additionally, the law prohibits unfair discrimination against benefit claimants or families by landlords and estate agents, while also putting an end to bidding wars for rental properties by setting a maximum asking rent.
Moving forward, landlords and estate agents will be required to publish an asking rent for their properties, and it will be unlawful to accept offers exceeding this rate. These significant changes are poised to bring substantial improvements to the rental market in England, ensuring a fairer and more transparent environment for both tenants and landlords.
