Tenants’ rights set to be improved in rental sector shake-up

‘No-fault’ evictions and blanket bans on families with children or on benefits will be outlawed, under proposals in a Private Rented Sector White Paper published today.

The Renters Reform Bill will ensure landlords give every tenant the right to request a pet in their house, which they must consider, and double notice periods required for rent increases.

Tenants will also have more ability to challenge any unwarranted rent increases and will be able to take their landlord to court for compensation if their homes are inadequate.  

Levelling Up and Housing Secretary Michael Gove said: ‘For too long many private renters have been at the mercy of unscrupulous landlords who fail to repair homes and let families live in damp, unsafe and cold properties, with the threat of unfair ‘no fault’ evictions orders hanging over them.

‘Our New Deal for renters will help to end this injustice by improving the rights and conditions for millions of renters as we level up across the country and deliver on the people’s priorities.’

It’s hoped the new bill will address problems faced by 21% of the private rental sector living in unsuitable homes and a fifth of private renters served no-fault eviction notices in 2019 and 2020.  

Proposals to end rent review clauses, which allow landlords to periodically raise rents, were outlined, alongside plans to move tenants to single system periodic tenancies, allowing them to leave non-decent homes more easily without remaining liable for rent.

The government is also considering giving councils more power to uphold good quality living standards and challenge bad landlords, with hefty fines for serious offences.

Private landlords will also be offered support with a Private Renters’ Ombudsman to be created settle renter disputes without going to court and measures to ensure properties can be returned efficiently from anti-social tenants.

Additionally, a new property portal will be introduced to help landlords understand their responsibilities, while also giving councils and tenants the information they need to tackle offenders.

Polly Neate, Chief Executive of homelessness charity Shelter, said: ‘The Renters’ Reform Bill is a gamechanger for England’s 11 million private renters. Scrapping unfair evictions will level the playing field. For the first time in a long time, tenants will be able to stand up to bad behaviour instead of living in fear. 

‘As these plans move through Parliament, they’ve got to keep their teeth to drive up standards and professionalise private renting. For every renter trapped in a never-ending nightmare of moving from one shoddy rental to the next, the Renters’ Reform Bill cannot come soon enough.’

Photo by Sangga Rima Roman Selia