The Renters Rights Bill – What we know so far!

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE KEY MEASURES

• End fixed-term tenancies & move to rolling periodic tenancies. There is more clarity needed on this which we are sure will be done over the coming months. We need to understand if there is a minimum term for tenants.

• Tenants will be able to stay in their home until they decide to end the tenancy by giving 2 months’ notice or the landlord can evidence a valid ground for possession. Landlords will need to give 4 months’ notice to move in or sell the property, but there is a 12-month protected period for tenants at the beginning of a tenancy.

• There will be a single date after Royal Assent & Commencement for the removal of Section 21 evictions, which is not dependent on court reform happening first. This means that regardless of existing fixed term tenancies or new ones, they will all be the same on that day.

• A new ground for possession which will allow landlords renting to students in HMOs to seek possession ahead of each new academic year.

• Rent Repayment Orders will be expanded so they are wider in scope & for repeat offenders, & fines will be increased in line with inflation.

• A ban on rental bidding wars with letting agents & landlords to be legally required to publish rent for their property & then unable to ask or accept any amounts above this price.

• Ban on in-tenancy rent increases written in to contracts, with landlords only allowed to raise the rent once a year, and to the market rate. If the tenants disagree they can raise this in a rent tribunal.

• Landlords can still give notice but rather than a Section 21 previously used they must issue a Section 8 giving clear grounds. These include Antisocial behaviour, rent arrears, damaging the property and more. There are varying notice periods depending on the ground stated.

• Pets cannot be ‘reasonably refused’. Again we await what this means. It will also be necessary for tenants to provide details of pet insurance.