Government Introduces ‘Renters Rights’ Bill to Improve Living Standards For Tenants

A new legislation introduced on Wednesday 11th September seeks to improve the standards of rented homes and ensure tenants can no longer be evicted without reason. The new Renters Rights bill which was initially promised by the Conservative government but not carried out, has been put in place by the labour government as a way to abolish “no-fault” evictions.

Angela Rayner explained that the bill will ‘rebalance the relationship between tenant and landlord’, adding: “Renters have been let down for too long and too many are stuck in disgraceful conditions, powerless to act because of the threat of a retaliatory eviction hanging over them.

“Most landlords act in a responsible way, but a small number of unscrupulous ones are tarnishing the reputation of the whole sector by making the most of the housing crisis and forcing tenants into bidding wars.”

Find out more about this bill and what it means for landlords and renters in the UK.

An official date for when these laws will come into place has yet to be announced, but Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook has stated that the government intends to have the new tenancy system in place by summer 2025 at the latest.

If you’re a landlord or property investor, you might be wondering how these new plans under the Renters Rights Bill will affect you. It’s important for landlords to think about ways they can ensure they’re adhering to these requirements, both with existing properties they own and those they’re looking to buy.

Making sure the property is up to standard regarding health and safety is crucial, and landlords can do this by staying on top of things like safety regulations and providing adequate ventilation within the property to reduce mould and damp issues.

While the inability to raise rents mid-tenancy may seem concerning at first glance, it’s important to remember that the ability to increase rents annually, in line with the market rate, means that properties in areas of high capital appreciation will still see significant yearly growth. This is why investing in profitable areas with ongoing regeneration is key.

Ultimately, landlords have a responsibility to keep tenancies fair, legal, and safe, and in doing so, can ensure a positive and lucrative investment.