The Renters’ Rights Act is designed to make renting fairer, safer & more secure and changes how private renting works. The new legislation covers tenancies, evictions, rent rises, home standards and ending discriminatory practices like specifying no pets.
People who rent homes are being given stronger rights under new legislation coming out in May.
The Renters’ Rights Act is designed to make renting fairer, safer, and more secure and changes how private renting works.
The new legislation covers tenancies, evictions, rent rises, home standards and ending discriminatory practices like specifying ‘no pets’.
Cllr Marina Asvachin, Lead Councillor for Housing, Homelessness Prevention and Customer Services, welcomed the new legislation. She said: “This is good news for people renting homes. The Renters’ Rights Act will give those who rent from the private sector much stronger rights. That has to be a good thing.”
Under the new legislation, assured shorthold tenancies are ending, being replaced by assured tenancies, giving stronger rights to those renting homes. From 1 May, existing tenancies will become periodic and will continue on a monthly basis, even if the tenant has signed a fixed term contract.
Landlords will no longer be able to use a ‘no-reason’ section 21 notice to evict tenants. Instead, landlords will need a legal reason for eviction, such as being in rent arrears or causing anti-social behaviour.
As part of the changes, tenants will need to give a longer notice of two months instead of the current one-month notice. However, the landlord may agree a shorter notice period or a specific date that the tenancy and the liability to pay rent ends.
Landlords will only be able increase the rent once per year and have to give tenants two months’ notice of an increase instead of one. Renters who feel the rent isn’t in line with market rent levels in the area, will have six months from the start of their tenancy to ask a tribunal to review it.
There will also be an end to discriminatory practices like specifying ‘no pets’, ‘no DSS’ and ‘no kids’, meaning landlords must consider each request fairly.
Tenancy clauses that say you cannot have a pet will not apply after the law changes, even if agreement previously stated it did. However, some properties may not be suitable for pets or big enough for larger families, so it is important that there is clear communication between the tenant and Landlord.
For more information visit the Gov.uk website at - Guide to the Renters’ Rights Act - GOV.UK
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