The Renters' Rights Act comes into effect on May 1, bringing significant changes for millions of landlords and tenants across the country. The new legislation bans 'no fault' evictions and requires landlords to consider requests from tenants to keep pets.
What is the Renters' Rights Act?
The Renters' Rights Act is a major piece of legislation aimed at rebalancing the power dynamic in the private rental sector. It provides tenants with greater security and stability in their homes while introducing new responsibilities for landlords.
Key changes from May 1
- Ban on Section 21 evictions: Landlords can no longer evict tenants without a valid reason. They must provide a specific ground, such as rent arrears, antisocial behaviour, or the need to sell the property, and give at least four months' notice.
- End of fixed-term tenancies: All fixed-term tenancies, including 12-month agreements, will automatically become rolling periodic tenancies with no set end date.
- Right to request a pet: Tenants have the legal right to ask for permission to keep a pet. Landlords can only refuse for a good reason.
- Rent increase notice: Landlords must give two months' notice for any rent increase and can only raise rent once per year.
- Limit on upfront rent: Landlords cannot demand more than one month's rent in advance. Rent bidding wars are also banned.
- Ban on discriminatory adverts: Landlords cannot specify 'no children' or 'no benefits' in rental adverts or tenancy agreements, though some exceptions may apply for children.
- Tenant information: Landlords must provide tenants with basic information, including the rent amount and their name and address.
- Notice to leave: Tenants must give two months' notice when they wish to end the tenancy, unless the landlord agrees to a shorter period.
Impact on tenants and landlords
Citizens Advice, which helped 2,335 people with no-fault evictions in March alone, says the Act is a 'huge moment' for renters. The charity also supported over 1,800 people with repairs and unsafe homes and more than 1,000 with rent increases.
Amy Hughes, Advice Manager at Citizens Advice, said: 'The Renters’ Rights Act is a huge moment for private renters. It will address the historic power imbalance in the private rental sector and give tenants the security they deserve in their homes.'
What landlords need to do
Landlords should review their tenancy agreements and practices to ensure compliance. They must be prepared to consider pet requests reasonably and provide the required information to tenants. Eviction notices can only be issued for valid reasons and with proper notice periods.
The Act represents a significant shift in landlord-tenant relations, aiming to create a fairer and more transparent rental market.
