An Act to make provision changing the law about rented homes, including provision abolishing fixed term assured tenancies and assured shorthold tenancies; imposing obligations on landlords and others in relation to rented homes and temporary and supported accommodation; and for connected purposes.
Sections 4 to 6 narrow the grounds for eviction and possession by a landlord, and require four months' notice before any eviction for sale of a property, housing a family member, or moving back in.
Sections 7 to 9 enable a tenant to challenge increases of rent. At least two months notice must be given before raising rent at the end of any contract. Sections 55 and 56 require the rent to be stated and aims to avoid rental bidding. Landlords cannot take higher rent than advertised, also if offered by a tenant.
Section 10 enable tenants the right to request permission to keep a pet, and landlords may only refuse if they have a good reason. Section 11 relates to pet insurance.
Section 12 requires landlords to give a statement of terms of the contract.
Sections 25 and 26 relate to deposits and restrict tenant fees.
Sections 32 to 54 prohibit discrimination against tenants based on them having children, or being on benefits.
Section 57 raises penalties for unlawful eviction or the harassment of an occupier. Schedule 1 contains changes to grounds for possession. Landlords are banned from evicting a tenant during the first year of a tenancy.
Sections 73 to 94 require a private rented sector database to be created.
Section 98 and Schedule 4 provide for a new "decent homes standard". The standard reflects three criteria: the condition of the property, provisions for tenants' safety and comfort, and the provision of adequate heating and cooling facilities.[3]
Part 4 concerns enforcement through rent repayment orders, by local housing authorities, and enables investigatory powers.
Significance
The act's aim is to "dampen rent rises", after in the year to July 2024, "average private-sector rents in England increased 8.6%, while in London that figure was 9.7%". Recent figures from the online estate portal Rightmove suggest that "there are now 17 households bidding for each advertised rental property".[1]
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