Millions of landlords and tenants will be impacted by significant new regulations starting today.
The Renters’ Rights Act, which took effect on May 1, now prohibits “no fault” evictions and requires landlords to consider allowing tenants to have pets. One tenant, Adrian Fletcher, 55, shared his experience of facing a no-fault eviction due to issues with damp and mold in his residence. Another tenant, James Coleman, tearfully recounted how a Section 21 notice forced his family to relocate, affecting their children’s school proximity.
Citizens Advice assisted over 2,300 individuals with Section 21 matters in March, in addition to aiding thousands with home repairs, safety concerns, and rent adjustments.
Amy Hughes, Advice Manager at Citizens Advice, emphasized the significance of the Renters’ Rights Act in rectifying the historical power imbalance in the private rental sector, providing tenants with the necessary housing security.
Under the new regulations, landlords can no longer issue Section 21 “no fault” eviction notices. All fixed-term tenancies will convert to rolling periodic tenancies. Landlords must furnish tenants with essential information, including rent details and contact information, and failing to comply may result in penalties.
Tenants are now required to give a two-month notice before vacating a property. Landlords must notify tenants two months in advance of any rent increases, which can only occur once per year and must be justifiable based on market rates.
Tenants now have the legal right to request keeping pets, subject to landlord approval within four weeks. Landlords can no longer demand more than one month’s rent in advance or engage in rent bidding wars. Discriminatory practices like specifying “no children” or “no benefits” in rental listings are also prohibited.
These changes aim to enhance tenant rights, promote fair landlord practices, and create a more transparent and secure rental environment.
