Millions of renters in England are about to receive important letters from their landlords as the Renters’ Rights Act comes into force on May 1. This landmark legislation introduces major reforms designed to improve tenant protections and reshape the rental market.
By May 31, landlords or letting agents must provide tenants with an official document outlining how tenancy agreements and tenant rights will change under the new law. Failure to do so may result in fines, underscoring the government’s commitment to enforcing these reforms.
Ben Twomey, CEO of Generation Rent, described the Act as “a major step towards re-balancing power between renters and landlords,” emphasizing the increased security tenants will gain. He also urged renters to familiarize themselves with the new rights and what actions to take if landlords act unlawfully.
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Shelter reports that every day, 70 households face homelessness due to ‘no fault’ evictions under section 21. Between 2018 and 2023, 800,000 private renters were unable to secure housing because upfront rent costs were unaffordable.
Key provisions of the new law include the abolition of section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions and a ban on discriminatory practices such as blanket ‘No kids’ or ‘No DSS’ policies, which exclude renters with children or those receiving benefits.
Tenancies will become indefinite ‘periodic’ agreements, providing renters with long-term security and the ability to settle without fear of abrupt eviction. There’s also greater flexibility for tenants who need to relocate, requiring only two months’ notice.
Additional protections include extended eviction notice periods, a cap on rent-in-advance requests to one month’s rent, and the creation of a national register of private landlords aimed at increasing accountability.
These changes mark a significant shift aimed at ensuring fairer, more secure rental arrangements for millions of tenants across England.