May 1st: A New Chapter for the Private Rental Sector Begins

The biggest changes to private renting in England in over 40 years come into force today under the Renters’ Rights Act — including the abolition of Section 21 “no-fault” evictions.

From today, tenants have greater flexibility, with the ability to end tenancies by giving up to two months’ notice, as fixed-term agreements are effectively removed. Rent increases are now restricted to once per year, and landlords can no longer request more than one month’s rent in advance.

The new rules also put an end to bidding wars and make it illegal to refuse tenants based on benefits or having children. In addition, landlords must now reasonably consider requests from tenants who wish to keep pets.

These changes come with significant penalties for non-compliance, with fines of up to £40,000. Local councils have been given increased funding and powers to enforce the new legislation, while the court system is being modernised to handle an expected rise in possession claims and rent disputes.

The government has described these reforms as a major step towards creating a fairer, safer, and more secure rental market for tenants. Tenant advocacy groups have also welcomed the changes, particularly the removal of Section 21, which they argue will provide greater protection and stability for renters.

However, there are calls for strong enforcement to ensure the new rules are properly applied across the sector.