Renters’ Rights Revolution
The Renters’ Rights Bill, introduced in September 2024, aims to transform England’s rental sector by strengthening tenant protections, ending no-fault evictions, and ensuring fairer, safer housing.
The Renters’ Rights Bill, introduced in September 2024, aims to transform England’s rental sector.
The UK government’s Renters’ Rights Bill, introduced in September 2024, aims to overhaul the private rental sector in England by strengthening tenant protections and promoting fairness. A key reform is the abolition of Section 21 "no-fault" evictions, which currently allow landlords to remove tenants without justification. The Bill also transitions all fixed-term tenancies into periodic ones, allowing greater flexibility for renters to leave with notice.
To ensure fairness in rent practices, the Bill includes provisions to prevent unfair increases and retaliatory evictions. Tenants will be able to challenge excessive rent hikes, and landlords must provide valid reasons for ending a tenancy. A new Private Rented Sector Ombudsman will be established to handle disputes efficiently, reducing reliance on courts.
The legislation also mandates the creation of a national landlord register to improve transparency and accountability. Discrimination based on benefit status or family circumstances will be banned, and rental bidding wars—where tenants compete to pay above the listed rent—will be prohibited. Tenants will also have the right to request pets, which landlords must consider reasonably.
Finally, the Decent Homes Standard will be extended to private rentals, ensuring all properties meet basic safety and quality requirements. Local authorities will be empowered to enforce standards more effectively, with increased penalties for non-compliance. The Bill is expected to become law in 2025, bringing significant and long-awaited reform to England’s rental market.