Date Published 27 September 2024
Earlier this month, the Renters' Rights Bill was released. Adams Estates have summarised the main points of the Bill, which include:
- Getting rid of Section 21 for 'no fault' evictions.
- Prohibiting rental bidding wars by cracking down on those taking advantage of the housing crisis by making tenants bid for properties. Landlords and letting agents must now list a set rent price for their property; they cannot ask for, encourage, or accept any offers above this price.
- Applying Awaab's Law to the PRS (private rented sector) so tenants can address unsafe living conditions.
- Introducing a Decent Homes Standard to the PRS for the first time.
- Preventing landlords from raising rent during a tenancy by including it in the contract, therefore landlords can only increase rent once a year and to the market rate.
- A new Private Rented Sector Database will be introduced to assist landlords in understanding their responsibilities and to provide tenants the necessary information for making informed decisions about new rental agreements.
- Ending blanket bans on tenants with children or those on benefits to ensure fair housing access for everyone.
Details about the proposed changes will be revealed in the upcoming months. The specific date for when the Bill will become law has not been determined yet, but the Government will make an announcement in the following weeks.
As the Bill evolves, Adams Estates will keep clients updated to help mitigate any concerns about its implications.