No-fault evictions in England will be banned starting from May 1, as confirmed by the government, marking a significant step in comprehensive renters' reforms. These changes will also see the end of fixed-term tenancy agreements, transitioning renters to what are termed "rolling" contracts, along with measures to prevent "bidding wars" and establish clearer pet policies.
Landlords have expressed concerns that these reforms might lead to increased screening of prospective tenants and voiced anxieties about handling problematic tenancies. Housing Secretary Steve Reed stated the government is targeting "rogue landlords" with a series of measures in the new Renters' Rights Act.
"With just months until this law takes effect, good landlords can start preparations, while those with poor practices should improve," Reed noted.
However, Shadow Housing Secretary Sir James Cleverly criticized the reforms, suggesting they may drive landlords out of the market, thereby decreasing housing supply and increasing rental prices for tenants. He highlighted the potential of a "fire sale" period ahead of the May 2026 implementation date, during which tenants might face abrupt evictions.
An estimated 4.4 million households in England rented from private landlords between 2021 and 2023, affecting over 11 million individuals. Approved at the end of October, the Renters' Rights Act is seen as the most significant overhaul to renting in England in over three decades. Despite many renters welcoming the new timeline, some landlords are uneasy about the rapid changes.
Ben Beadle, CEO of the National Residential Landlords Association, expressed concern about the sufficiency of the implementation deadline, stating, "We maintain that landlords and property businesses need at least six months from the publication of regulations to adequately prepare for these major changes." From May, properties will be leased under periodic or rolling arrangements rather than traditional 12 or 24-month fixed contracts. Tenants will have the right to exit with two months' notice, which the government argues will protect tenants from paying for substandard housing. Landlords will also be restricted from evicting tenants who report poor living conditions.
In the past year alone, over 11,000 households in England lost their homes to bailiff-led repossession following Section 21 evictions. A 25-year-old, Victoria, had to halt her university studies after receiving a Section 21 notice in March. Living in Durham while attending the University of Northumbria, she attributes the eviction partly to her complaints about property conditions. She said, "I ended up moving back in with my parents, which was devastating."
Kerrie, 27, became homeless after reporting severe mold issues in her flat in Cambridgeshire. Although the council offered temporary housing while the landlord addressed the problem, she still had to pay rent. She was later served a Section 21 notice, resulting in homelessness. Kerrie described the situation: "It's outrageous that my safety net could be removed at a moment's notice by the landlord."
Despite reporting mold issues, she found herself enduring difficult conditions, including napping in public restrooms and showering at her gym. Many households in Hackney, east London, have also received Section 21 notices without explanations from the same landlord, illustrating the pervasive issues faced by renters under the current system.