What Labour’s Renters’ Rights Act means for tenants and landlords
From new eviction protections to the right to own pets – here’s what to know about the new rental laws
Labour’s flagship rental reforms come into effect on 1 May, bringing sweeping and permanent changes to the UK’s rental landscape.
From Friday, dozens of changes will come into effect that will majorly change how landlords and tenants – and the contracts between them – operate.
Guidance from the government stated: “The act will improve the current system for both the 11 million private renters and 2.3 million landlords in England. It will give renters much greater security and stability so they can stay in their homes for longer, build lives in their communities, and avoid the risk of homelessness.
“Reform of the sector is long overdue, and we will act where previous governments have failed. While the majority of landlords provide a good service, the private rented sector currently provides the least affordable, poorest quality and most insecure housing of all tenures.”
Here is everything renters and landlords need to know:
One of the act’s headline measures, this change will remove landlords’ power to evict tenants at two months’ notice without having to give any reason.
After years of campaigning, the scrapping of section 21 notices was first announced by the Conservatives in 2019, and put into a bill in 2023. After months of delays, this bill never passed due to the general election but was revived and updated by Labour.
The government said the measure will provide “more security for tenants” and empower them to challenge poor practice and unfair rent increases without fear of eviction.”
“We will implement this new system in one stage, giving all tenants security immediately,” it added.
This represents a major change to the rental landscape, affecting millions of households. From tomorrow, fixed-term contracts will cease to exist and will all become periodic rolling contracts without an end date.
This applies to all current fixed-term contracts, which latest figures show make up a majority of all tenancies in the UK.
Tenants will also be able to leave with two months’ notice at any time.
Under the new legislation, tenants will be given greater security through safeguards that give them more time to find a new home if the landlord evicts them to move in or sell.
Labour said the measures will be “fair to both parties”. Landlords will gain new grounds to evict tenants if they are selling the property or moving themselves or a relative in, and will still be able to evict tenants for rent arrears or antisocial behaviour.
The Renters’ Rights Act will give tenants the power to appeal above-market rent increases which are designed to force them out of the property.
Landlords will retain the power to increase rents but only once a year and always within market rates. An independent tribunal can make a judgement on this if it is taken to appeal.
The act will also end the practice of rental bidding – commonplace in large cities – by prohibiting landlords from asking for or accepting offers above the advertised rent.
The legislation will also change the current tribunal process for tenants to challenge rent rises, making it easier for them to do so.
Changes will see tribunals lose the power to decide to increase the rent above what the landlord has asked for, removing a key risk from the process for tenants.
If approved, rent increases will also no longer be backdated from the date given by the landlord, but begin after the tribunal’s decision. The tribunal will also be able to delay the new rent by up to two months to prevent undue hardship.
The act will make it illegal for landlords to discriminate against potential tenants for receiving benefits or having children, who aren’t protected under current legislation.
Tenants will also have strengthened rights to request a pet in the property, which the landlord must consider and cannot unreasonably refuse. Landlords will be able to request pet insurance is purchased to cover any possible damages.
