Millions of landlords and tenants will feel the impact of significant new regulations starting today. The Renters’ Rights Act, which became effective on May 1, prohibits “no fault” evictions and obliges landlords to consider allowing tenants to have pets. The Mirror interviewed a tenant who shared the distress caused by a Section 21 eviction.
Adrian Fletcher, aged 55, faced a no-fault eviction after raising concerns about severe dampness, mold, and water leakage in his residence. Another tenant was evicted from a home where their family had resided for nearly a decade. James Coleman recounted his emotional response to receiving a Section 21 notice, which compelled his family to relocate farther from their children’s schools.
Citizens Advice disclosed aiding 2,335 individuals with Section 21 matters in March. The charity also supported over 1,800 individuals with housing repairs and safety issues, along with more than 1,000 cases involving rent hikes.
Amy Hughes, Advice Manager at Citizens Advice, emphasized the significance of the Renters’ Rights Act in rectifying the long-standing power disparity in the private rental sector, offering tenants the stability they deserve. The Act limits evictions to specific reasons such as rent arrears, antisocial behavior, or property sale.
Key changes under the Act include the prohibition of Section 21 “no fault” eviction notices, conversion of fixed-term tenancies to rolling periodic tenancies, mandatory provision of basic tenant information by landlords, and a two-month notice period for tenants intending to vacate.
Additionally, landlords must provide advance notice of rent increases, allow tenants to request pet ownership, adhere to restrictions on rent advance payments, and eliminate discriminatory clauses in rental agreements.
For further updates and exclusive deals, join our Money WhatsApp group or subscribe to the Mirror’s Money newsletter. Landlords are now required to give two months’ notice for rent hikes, with only one increase per year permitted. Tenants also gain the right to request pet ownership, subject to landlord approval within four weeks.
Moreover, landlords cannot demand more than one month’s rent in advance, and rental agreements must be finalized before accepting any payments. Discriminatory terms like “no children” or “no benefits” in rental documentation are prohibited, with exceptions for legal constraints on overcrowding.
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