Labour’s Renters Rights Bill to End No-Fault Evictions

Labour is turning the tables on private landlords by giving renters sweeping powers with the new Renters Rights Bill introduced in Parliament today (11/09/2024).

The reintroduced legislation bolsters tenants' rights with new measures that restrict landlords from choosing who lives in their property, when they can be asked to leave and how much rent they can charge.

Section 21 no-fault evictions are abolished and expected to be replaced with a ban on evicting tenants without a reason by summer 2025.

Section 21 will be replaced with a list of grounds for evicting a tenant, including repossession if a landlord wants to sell or move into a property. Landlords should still have the right to remove anti-social tenants or those with rent arrears.

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, responsible for housing policy, said: “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.   

“There can be no more dither and delay. We must overhaul renting and rebalance the relationship between tenant and landlord. This Bill will do just that and tenants can be reassured this Government will protect them.”

Other measures in the Bill include:

• Bringing Awaab’s Law to privately rented homes to ensure renters in England can challenge dangerous living conditions.
• Applying a Decent Homes Standard that allows councils to fine landlords up to £7,000 for failing to address serious property hazards.
• A ban on rental bidding wars that makes landlords and letting agents legally required to publish an asking rent for a property. They will also be banned from asking for, encouraging, or accepting bids above this price.
• Ban on in-tenancy rent increases written into contracts to stop landlords raising rents too high rents mid-tenancy. Instead, landlords can raise rent once a year to the market rate. 
• Abolishing bans on tenants on benefits or with children to ensure fair access to housing for everyone.
• A new database of privately rented homes will be created to help landlords and councils comply and give tenants information to make informed choices about new tenancies.

Renters Rights Bill FAQ

What is Awaab’s Law?

Awaab's Law aims to improve the safety and health of tenants in rented homes by addressing damp and mould issues. The law was introduced in July 2023 as part of the Social Housing (Regulation) Act and is named after Awaab Ishak, a two-year-old who died from exposure to mould in social housing in 2020.

Awaab's Law requires landlords to:

• Investigate: Begin investigating reported or known hazards within 14 days
• Repair: Start repairs within seven days of the investigation
• Emergency repairs: Address emergency hazards within 24 hours
• Record: Keep clear records of correspondence with contractors and residents

Does the Renters Rights Bill cover all of the UK?

No, the new law only covers England. Scotland and Wales have their own legislation.

What happened to the Tory Renters Reform Bill?

The Renters Reform Bill was abandoned in the run-up to the prorogation of parliament in May 2024, and it will not be an Act of Parliament.

When will the Renters Rights Bill become law?

Labour hopes the new laws will be in place by Summer 2025.

What is the Decent Homes Standard?

A decent home is “free from most serious health and safety hazards, such as fall risks, fire risks, or carbon monoxide poisoning.” In practical terms, landlords need to maintain the safety and quality of their private rented homes.

Insulation should reduce damp and mould. Kitchens and bathrooms should have functioning and safe drainage and sewerage. They should also be “adequate, located correctly, and not too old.”

Fall risks associated with baths or uneven surfaces should be minimised – and guards should be in place to prevent falls from over staircases, out of windows or off fire escapes. Fire safety should also be in place.