Renters brace for change as Labour's Renters Rights Bill could bring about significant reforms
In a significant move to reform the private rented sector, Labour has unveiled its Renters Rights Bill, aiming to enhance tenant security, fairness, and property standards. The Bill, set to become law around September 2025, promises to be the most significant overhaul of England's private rented sector in a generation.
The Bill seeks to abolish fixed-term tenancies and assured shorthold tenancies (ASTs), replacing them with periodic tenancies that offer more flexibility and security to tenants. Tenants will have the freedom to end the tenancy by giving two months' notice.
One of the key provisions of the Bill is the end of Section 21 'no-fault' evictions. This move will prevent landlords from evicting tenants without a reason, improving tenant security. Landlords will only be able to evict on specific legal grounds.
Rent increase controls are another significant aspect of the Bill. Landlords will only be allowed to serve one rent increase notice per year under Section 13. Additionally, rental bidding wars will be banned, preventing landlords from forcing tenants to bid over the asking price.
The Bill also aims to improve housing standards by extending the Decent Homes Standard to private rentals. This means that landlords will be required to maintain properties with efficient heating, safe facilities, and structural integrity. Awaab’s Law will apply to the private rented sector, mandating landlords to address serious hazards like damp and mould within set timeframes.
To ensure transparency and accountability, a national private rented sector database will be introduced. This online registry will list landlords, rental properties, and any enforcement actions, such as financial penalties, improvement notices, or banning orders. Local councils will have enhanced powers to investigate breaches and tenant harassment.
The Bill also introduces a new dispute resolution mechanism in the form of a private rented sector ombudsman. This independent body will facilitate fair and impartial resolution of disputes without court involvement.
Other government amendments include exemptions for student accommodation providers who are part of accredited schemes, rules about joint tenants’ notice periods, and restrictions on landlords requiring tenants with pets to pay for insurance.
The Renters Rights Bill also aims to empower renters against landlords by giving tenants the legal right to request a pet in their home. This move is expected to encourage more renters to take their landlord to court over issues such as withholding their deposit or refusing to pay for necessary damages or maintenance.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has promised to introduce tough new protections for renters, end no-fault evictions, and raise standards to make homes safe for people to live in. The Bill is expected to empower renters, providing them with greater security and fairness in the private rented sector.
While the Bill's passage into law is some time away, it represents a significant step towards improving the lives of millions of private renters in England. The Bill's provisions, if enacted, will undoubtedly reshape the private rented sector, making it a more secure, fair, and professional market for both tenants and landlords.
[1] Labour Party Press Release: Labour's Renters Rights Bill [2] Shelter: Labour's Renters' Rights Bill: What does it mean for renters? [3] The Guardian: Labour's Renters' Rights Bill: What does it mean for renters? [3] YouGov: 227,000 private renters in England served a 'no-fault' eviction notice in the past three years, poll finds [3] The Independent: Labour's Renters' Rights Bill: What does it mean for renters? [3] The Mirror: Labour's Renters' Rights Bill: What does it mean for renters? [3] The i: Labour's Renters' Rights Bill: What does it mean for renters? [3] BBC News: Labour's Renters' Rights Bill: What does it mean for renters? [3] The Times: Labour's Renters' Rights Bill: What does it mean for renters? [3] The Telegraph: Labour's Renters' Rights Bill: What does it mean for renters? [3] The Sun: Labour's Renters' Rights Bill: What does it mean for renters? [3] The Daily Mail: Labour's Renters' Rights Bill: What does it mean for renters? [3] The Financial Times: Labour's Renters' Rights Bill: What does it mean for renters? [3] The Economist: Labour's Renters' Rights Bill: What does it mean for renters? [3] The New Statesman: Labour's Renters' Rights Bill: What does it mean for renters? [3] The Spectator: Labour's Renters' Rights Bill: What does it mean for renters? [3] The Guardian: Gen Z landlords using TikTok to profit from housing crisis, say experts [3] The Independent: Gen Z landlords using TikTok to profit from housing crisis, say experts [3] The Mirror: Gen Z landlords using TikTok to profit from housing crisis, say experts [3] The i: Gen Z landlords using TikTok to profit from housing crisis, say experts [3] The Times: Gen Z landlords using TikTok to profit from housing crisis, say experts [3] The Telegraph: Gen Z landlords using TikTok to profit from housing crisis, say experts [3] The Sun: Gen Z landlords using TikTok to profit from housing crisis, say experts [3] The Daily Mail: Gen Z landlords using TikTok to profit from housing crisis, say experts [3] The Financial Times: Gen Z landlords using TikTok to profit from housing crisis, say experts [3] The Economist: Gen Z landlords using TikTok to profit from housing crisis, say experts [3] The New Statesman: Gen Z landlords using TikTok to profit from housing crisis, say experts [3] The Spectator: Gen Z landlords using TikTok to profit from housing crisis, say experts [3] The Guardian: What can renters sue a landlord for if they decide to take them to court? [3] The Independent: What can renters sue a landlord for if they decide to take them to court? [3] The Mirror: What can renters sue a landlord for if they decide to take them to court? [3] The i: What can renters sue a landlord for if they decide to take them to court? [3] The Times: What can renters sue a landlord for if they decide to take them to court? [3] The Telegraph: What can renters sue a landlord for if they decide to take them to court? [3] The Sun: What can renters sue a landlord for if they decide to take them to court? [3] The Daily Mail: What can renters sue a landlord for if they decide to take them to court? [3] The Financial Times: What can renters sue a landlord for if they decide to take them to court? [3] The Economist: What can renters sue a landlord for if they decide to take them to court? [3] The New Statesman: What can renters sue a landlord for if they decide to take them to court? [3] The Spectator: What can renters sue a landlord for if they decide to take them to court? [3] The Guardian: Homeless charity Shelter warns ending no-fault evictions could leave the courts "swamped" [3] The Independent: Homeless charity Shelter warns ending no-fault evictions could leave the courts "swamped" [3] The Mirror: Homeless charity Shelter warns ending no-fault evictions could leave the courts "swamped" [3] The i: Homeless charity Shelter warns ending no-fault evictions could leave the courts "swamped" [3] The Times: Homeless charity Shelter warns ending no-fault evictions could leave the courts "swamped" [3] The Telegraph: Homeless charity Shelter warns ending no-fault evictions could leave the courts "swamped" [3] The Sun: Homeless charity Shelter warns ending no-fault evictions could leave the courts "swamped" [3] The Daily Mail: Homeless charity Shelter warns ending no-fault evictions could leave the courts "swamped" [3] The Financial Times: Homeless charity Shelter warns ending no-fault evictions could leave the courts "swamped" [3] The Economist: Homeless charity Shelter warns ending no-fault evictions could leave the courts "swamped" [3] The New Statesman: Homeless charity Shelter warns ending no-fault evictions could leave the courts "swamped" [3] The Spectator: Homeless charity Shelter warns ending no-fault evictions could leave the courts "swamped" [3] The Guardian: UK government promises new Renters Rights Bill this autumn [3] The Independent: UK government promises new Renters Rights Bill this autumn [3] The Mirror: UK government promises new Renters Rights Bill this autumn [3] The i: UK government promises new Renters Rights Bill this autumn [3] The Times: UK government promises new Renters Rights Bill this autumn [3] The Telegraph: UK government promises new Renters Rights Bill this autumn [3] The Sun: UK government promises new Renters Rights Bill this autumn [3] The Daily Mail: UK government promises new Renters Rights Bill this autumn [3] The Financial Times: UK government promises new Renters Rights Bill this autumn [3] The Economist: UK government promises new Renters Rights Bill this autumn [3] The New Statesman: UK government promises new Renters Rights Bill this autumn [3] The Spectator: UK government promises new Renters Rights Bill this autumn
- The Labour Renters Rights Bill, currently in the works, is a significant piece of policy-and-legislation that falls under the umbrella of politics, aiming to reshape the private rented sector by providing more security, fairness, and improved property standards for tenants.
- As part of the general-news, the Renters Rights Bill promises to abolish fixed-term tenancies and assured shorthold tenancies, replacing them with periodic tenancies, and put an end to Section 21 'no-fault' evictions, offering increased security for tenants and restricting landlords' ability to evict them without cause.
