Renters Rights Bill – now it’s the law!

The Renters Rights Bill is now the Renters Rights Act – it has been given Royal Assent and is now an Act.

And now it’s up to the government to prove that it works for renters and landlords alike, say the National Residential Landlords Association.

Chief executive Ben Beadle says: “After years of debate and uncertainty, today marks an important milestone for the private rented sector. With the Renters’ Rights Act on the statute book, the sector needs certainty about the way forward.

“This is the most significant shake-up of the rental market in almost 40 years, and it is imperative that the new systems work for both tenants and responsible landlords. The NRLA stands ready to work with the Government to ensure the reforms are implemented in a way that is fair, proportionate and deliverable.

“The Government now needs to engage meaningfully with those providing the homes so desperately needed, to ensure implementation of the Bill is realistic and aligns with the practicalities of the market – not least the need for clarity well in advance of the next academic year for student housing.

“At a minimum, the sector needs six months’ notice before implementation to ensure a smooth and seamless transition, and the Government must provide certainty on this as soon as possible.

“The Government must also recognise the vital importance of a thriving private rented sector not only to meet tenant demand but to the national economy. It is essential that the Government’s reforms do not worsen the supply crisis by discouraging long term investment in the homes to rent that so many rely on.

“As the changes bed in, the Government should commit to ongoing monitoring of their impact and ensure its findings are published.”

Implementation dates for different measures within the Act have not been released but are expected imminently.

As a reminder, key elements of the Renters Rights Act are:

• End of so-called ‘no-fault’ evictions: The measure abolishes Section 21 of the Housing Act 1988, which allows landlords to evict tenants without a stated reason;
• Replacement of fixed-term tenancies: All tenancies will be converted to a single, “rolling” periodic tenancy model. Tenants can end these with two months’ notice, and landlords will rely on specific legal grounds for possession;
• Ban on rent bidding wars: Landlords and agents are prohibited from soliciting or accepting offers of rent that are higher than the initial advertised price;
• Annual rent increases: Rent can only be increased once per year, and a minimum of two months’ notice must be given. Tenants can appeal to a tribunal if they believe the increase is unfair;
• Discrimination protection: Landlords will be legally prevented from discriminating against prospective tenants based on whether they have children or receive benefits; 
• Decent Homes Standard: The measure applies the Decent Homes Standard to the private rented sector, ensuring properties meet minimum quality requirements;
• New landlord database: A national register of landlords and their properties will be created to help both tenants and landlords;
• Pet requests: Tenants will have the right to request a pet in their rental property, and landlords cannot unreasonably deny this request. 

This article is taken from Landlord Today