Landlords will face new regulations in six months as the government plans to implement significant protections for millions of renters starting on May 1, 2026. The Renters’ Reform Act will prohibit Section 21 eviction notices, ensuring that landlords cannot evict tenants without valid reasons. Additionally, bidding wars among potential tenants will be outlawed, and rent increases will be limited to once a year.
Under the new legislation, landlords will be prohibited from discriminating against tenants based on benefits or having children. They will also be required to reasonably consider requests from tenants to own pets. This law, which was part of a manifesto promise, was recently enacted after a decade of delays by the previous government.
Section 21 notices, commonly known as “no-fault evictions,” have been criticized for increasing the risk of homelessness for numerous families annually. Housing Secretary Steve Reed emphasized the importance of the new law in providing security and peace of mind for all tenants.
Local councils in England will enforce the regulations from May onward, with the ability to levy fines of up to £7,000 for violations. The Chief Executive of Generation Rent, Ben Twomey, praised the law as a step towards rebalancing the power dynamics between renters and landlords, highlighting the end of fear for renters facing evictions under Section 21.
Minister Alison McGovern emphasized that the Renters’ Rights Act will prevent landlords from discriminating against tenants based on benefits or having children. She stressed the significance of ending such exclusion and ensuring equality and fairness in the rental system. The changes are set to become reality in a few months, marking a significant shift towards a more just and equitable rental landscape.