The Renters’ Rights Act – are you ready?

The government has published the final version of the Official Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet – setting out key changes for tenants ahead of reforms coming into force on May 1.

Letting agents and landlords have a clear legal duty to provide the document to relevant tenants, with a strict May 31 deadline and financial penalties for non-compliance.

The document explains how tenants’ rights and responsibilities will change under the new legislation. Failure to issue could result in fines of up to £7,000 per tenancy.

The Act is delivering a major reform of private rental law in England. It reshapes the balance between landlords and tenants by introducing stronger tenant protections, tighter controls on rent practices, new compliance requirements and higher property standards.

Landlords need to be prepared for the changes and be aware of what is needed to adhere to the new rules. Failure to do so may prove costly.

The main changes coming into force from May 1 include the abolition of ‘no fault’ evictions and the conversion of most Assured Shorthold Tenancies into rolling tenancies.

Fixed terms will disappear and tenancies will continue on a month-to-month basis. Rent will only be payable up to one month in advance.

Tenants will be able to terminate their tenancy by giving two months’ notice to their landlord. This is designed to give tenants greater flexibility and mobility, while still providing landlords with reasonable notice.

From May 1, rent review clauses cannot be used for new increases Landlords can only increase the rent once a year and will need to give written notice of the rise at least two months before it takes effect.

Any rent increase must be no higher than the open market rent. If the tenant thinks the proposed increase is above market rate, they can challenge it at the First-tier Tribunal.

Landlords will no longer be able to evict tenants without providing a legal reason for doing so. These include not paying rent on time or if the tenant or others living with them commit antisocial behaviour in or near the property.

And tenants cannot be required to leave under some grounds for the first 12 months of a tenancy.

Landlords must cite one or more of the statutory grounds for possession. If a mandatory ground is established at a possession hearing, the court must grant an order for possession. If only discretionary grounds are relied upon, the court will consider whether it is reasonable in light of all the circumstances.

Landlords must advertise an asking rent and are not permitted to accept more than that advertised figure.

There are other big changes coming on May 1. Tenants will have an implied right to request permission to keep a pet, and landlords may not unreasonably refuse consent.

If they refuse, they must inform the tenant in writing, setting out the reason why. They will need to consider each request on a case-by-case basis. Tenants can challenge the landlord’s decision in court.

The new Act also prohibits landlords and agents from discriminating against prospective tenants on the basis of benefit status or family status. Blanket restrictions such as ‘No DSS’ or exclusions targeting families will no longer be lawful.