Landmark reforms introduced by the Government are set to create a fairer private rented sector for tenants and landlords.
Around 11 million people live in the private rented sector, but a quarter of homes do not meet basic decency standards, according to the government. Research also shows that more than a fifth of private renters who moved in 2019 and 2020 did not do so by choice.
Published on 17th May 2023, the Renters’ Reform Bill introduces measures to make the private rented sector safer and fairer for renters, as well as improving the quality of rented homes.
For instance, no-fault evictions are set to be banned in England. Renters will be able to challenge rent rises, and ask to have a pet, while landlords can no longer refuse to rent to people on benefits or with children.
Renters will also be given two months’ notice of rent increases, and can now challenge rises that are above the market rate for their home, a measure designed to stop landlords using excessive rent hikes to force people to leave.
Housing Secretary Michael Gove said: “Too many renters are living in damp, unsafe, cold homes, powerless to put things right, and with the threat of sudden eviction hanging over them.
“This Government is determined to tackle these injustices by offering a New Deal to those living in the Private Rented Sector, one with quality, affordability, and fairness at its heart.”
Not all the Bill’s measures are designed for renters; also included are benefits to landlords that make it easier for them to recover their property should they want to sell or have a close family member move in if tenants are ‘wilfully’ not paying rent.
Notice periods for renters will be reduced for renters if they have been irresponsible, such as breaching their tenancy agreement or damaging the property.
Landlords will be able to evict anti-social tenants, including broadening the disruptive and harmful activities that can lead to an eviction, while more of the legal process to evict a tenant will be digitalised to reduce delays.
Landlords will also still be able to increase rents to the market price for their property.
Overall, the government hopes the new measures introduced in the bill will help to redress the balance between landlords and tenants.