Renters’ Rights Act Comes into Force
PAUL MCLAUGHLIN
A landmark new law strengthening renters’ rights, which promises to transform the lives of tenants living in the 12,500 private rental homes across Hastings and St Leonards came into force last Friday (1 May).
The Renters’ Rights Act changes the law to make renting fairer, safer, and more secure. At its heart is a ban on Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions – a change that campaigners say will directly tackle one of the leading causes of homelessness in the town.
The need for reform is especially acute in Hastings. According to homelessness charity Shelter, one child in every classroom in the town is growing up homeless – the highest rate anywhere in England outside of London.
The Act introduces several other key protections. Rent increases will be limited to once per year, banning the practice of frequent hikes. Bidding wars for properties will also be illegal, as will excessive upfront payments. These will be capped at one month’s rent.
In addition, landlords will be required to consider requests from tenants who wish to keep pets and renters can end tenancies with just two months’ notice.
There will be stronger protections, too against discrimination, particularly for families with children or those in receipt of benefits – groups that have often faced unfair barriers when trying to secure a home.
A new national database will help tenants check landlord compliance and councils target enforcement, a landlord ombudsman will provide fast binding dispute resolution, and councils gain powers to fine up to £7,000 for initial breaches.
Unsurprisingly, some landlords have expressed concerns about the new regulations. They warn the additional administrative burdens will drive many owners out of the market, reducing the number of available properties and ultimately driving up rents.
The Government insists, however, that the Act strikes a fair balance between protecting renters and supporting responsible property owners.
Local Labour MP Helena Dollimore said the Renters’ Rights Act represented the “biggest overhaul of our broken rental system in a generation and will balance the playing field between tenants and landlords. Families here have been living with the constant fear of losing their home through no fault of their own, while young people have been outbid for the homes they need to start their lives. The reforms will finally give renters the security they deserve.”
Hastings Greens, whilst welcoming the government’s “positive” approach to ending no-fault Section 21 evictions and restrictions on rental bidding wars, argue that the Act does not go far enough to solve the town’s rental crisis. Their primary criticism is the absence of rent controls, without which, they believe, tenants remain vulnerable to being priced out of their homes. They also want to see an increase in the Local Housing Allowance and a firm commitment to expanding council housing.
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