Renters’ Rights Bill becomes law

The Renters’ Rights Bill received royal assent yesterday. A package of reforms will now be rolled out in the coming weeks to give private rental tenants greater protection against landlords in England.

The legislation has abolished section 21 “no fault” evictions and aims to empower tenants to challenge poor conditions and unreasonable rent increases without fear of retaliatory eviction. It will also give renters the right to end tenancies with two months’ notice.

Prime minister Keir Starmer said: “For too long, millions of renters have lived at the mercy of rogue landlords or insecure contracts, with their futures hanging in the balance. We are putting an end to that.”

Ministers will outline how the new measures will be implemented over the coming weeks. Further reforms will include ending “bidding wars” and stopping landlords from demanding more than one month’s rent upfront.

They will also have to let tenants keep a pet unless they have a good reason to dismiss the request.

The Renters’ Rights Act also seeks to address discrimination by banning landlords and agents from refusing tenants because they have children or receive benefits.

It will strengthen local authority enforcement and bring the Decent Homes Standard and Awaab’s Law into the private rented sector.

>>See also: Rushanara Ali case shows why Renters’ Rights Bill needs careful handling

>>See also: The Renters Rights Bill will have an impact on housing associations too

Meanwhile, a new Private Rented Sector Ombudsman will be able to compel landlords to issue an apology, provide information, take remedial action and/or pay compensation if they are found to have breached the law.

Tom Darling, director of the Renters’ Reform Coalition, which includes Shelter, Generation Rent, Citizens Advice and ACORN, thanked the government for “finally getting this landmark legislation, which has faced stiff opposition at various points, over the finishing line”.

Ben Beadle, chief executive of the National Residential Landlords Association, called for six months’ notice before the implementation of the new law and said the government must recognise the “vital importance of a thriving private rented sector” to meet tenant demand and contribute to the national economy.

He said: “The government now needs to engage meaningfully with those providing the homes so desperately needed, to ensure implementation of the bill is realistic and aligns with the practicalities of the market – not least the need for clarity well in advance of the next academic year for student housing.

“It is essential that the government’s reforms do not worsen the supply crisis by discouraging long-term investment in the homes to rent that so many rely on.”

England has 11 million private renters and 2.3 million landlords.