The Renters’ Rights Bill is overhauling the private rented sector in England, as it seeks to end the bad practices in the industry.

The government is determined to address the insecurity and injustice that far too many renters experience and through this bill give renters greater stability so they can build their lives in their communities and reduce the risk of homelessness.

It aims to ban unfair no-fault evictions, helping to protect tenants from discriminatory treatment and poor living conditions.

At the same time, it will end bad practices such as landlords and letting agents forcing bidding wars to drive up rents, and unreasonable mid-tenancy rent increases often used to force out tenants.

What does the Bill do?  

The Bill will:

  • Abolish unfair no-fault evictions
  • Ban rental bidding wars
  • Ban in-tenancy rent increases written into contracts
  • Create a new Private Rented Sector Database to help landlords and tenants
  • Abolish blanket bans on tenants with children or those in receipt of benefits
  • Apply Awaab’s Law to the private rented sector
  • Give tenants the right to request a pet
  • Apply a Decent Homes Standard to the private rented sector for the first time
  • Support quicker, cheaper resolution when there are disputes
  • End bidding wars and mid-tenancy price increases

A watershed moment for renters

Polly Neate, Chief Executive of Shelter, said: “The Renters’ Rights Bill is a watershed moment for England’s 11 million renters. By extending notice periods and ridding the country of the gross injustice of Section 21 evictions, renters will no longer live in fear of being booted out of their homes for no reason, with too little notice.

“This Bill will do far more to protect tenants than previous failed attempts, but renters shouldn’t be forced out by colossal rent hikes once the government pulls the plug on Section 21. More than 60,000 renters were walloped with extortionate rent hikes that cost them the roof over their head in the past year alone.

“To truly deliver the stability England’s renters need, the Bill must limit in-tenancy rent increases so they’re in line with either inflation or wage growth. It must also protect renters from eviction for two years and stamp out discriminatory practices like demands for huge sums of rent in advance that drive homelessness.”

Responding to the publication of the Renters Rights Bill, Dame Clare Moriarty, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice, said:

“This bill is a critical and long overdue step which will better protect renters.

“We’re seeing record numbers of people seeking help with no-fault evictions – an average of 100 people every single day. And more than 70% of those we’ve helped with no-fault evictions this year were at risk of being made homeless.

“It’s good to see longer protection and notice periods, saving renters from the fear of early eviction and giving them a fighting chance to find a new home if their landlord decides to sell or move in. But the Section 21 ban needs to be watertight to prevent rogue landlords from exploiting loopholes, or using unfair rent hikes to force tenants out.”