Millions of landlords and tenants will be impacted by significant new regulations that have officially taken effect today.
The Renters’ Rights Act, which commenced on May 1, has outlawed “no fault” evictions and mandated landlords to consider permitting tenants to have pets. The Mirror interviewed a tenant who shared his distress after facing a Section 21 eviction due to severe damp and mold issues in his residence.
Adrian Fletcher, aged 55, faced a no-fault eviction following complaints about serious housing problems. Another tenant was evicted from a property where their family had resided for nearly a decade.
James Coleman recounted his emotional turmoil upon receiving a Section 21 notice, which forced his family to relocate further away from their children’s schools.
In March, Citizens Advice assisted 2,335 individuals with Section 21 matters and supported over 1,800 people with housing repairs and safety concerns, along with aiding more than 1,000 individuals facing rent hikes.
Amy Hughes, Advice Manager at Citizens Advice, emphasized the significance of the Renters’ Rights Act in rectifying power imbalances in the rental sector and providing tenants with housing stability.
Under the new regulations, landlords are prohibited from issuing “no fault” eviction notices. Instead, they must provide a valid reason such as property sale or rent arrears, giving tenants a four-month notice period.
All fixed-term tenancies will transition into rolling periodic tenancies, eliminating set end dates. Landlords are mandated to furnish tenants with essential information, including rent amounts and contact details, to avoid fines.
Tenants are required to give landlords a two-month notice before vacating, with the option for landlords to agree on an earlier departure. Rent increases are limited to once a year and must be backed by market rates.
Pet ownership rights are established, allowing tenants to request permission in writing with a pet description, with landlords given a standard four-week response time.
Other changes include restrictions on advance rent payments, bans on rent bidding wars, and prohibitions on discriminatory rental terms. Exceptions may apply in certain situations related to children or specific licensing conditions.
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