Last week, the government unveiled the Renters Rights Bill, finally abolishing Section 21 evictions! This is a major victory for renters everywhere and the culmination of years of organising and campaigning.
For years, the London Renters Union (LRU) has campaigned to scrap Section 21. As part of the End Unfair Evictions coalition, we played a key role in forcing the previous government to announce a ban in 2019. By passing motions in local branches of parties and unions, we helped push Labour, the Green Party and big charities to back the ban.
In the years since, our grassroots organising has helped make renting a key political issue. We’ve used the power we’ve built to pressure the government in our public campaigning and as part of the Renters Reform Coalition.
As a result, this bill is stronger than the previous tory bill. But there are still areas where landlord profit is being prioritised above our right to a secure home. Read on to find out what the bill means for our lives.
Goodbye to Section 21 Evictions
Section 21 evictions will end for all private tenancies! This should take effect by next summer. Section 21 gives landlords the power to throw us out for no reason and leaves us living in fear. Ending this appalling practice is a huge win for our movement, showing the power of collective action.
Crucially, there will still be some types of no-fault eviction, in the case of selling the property or the landlord moving in themselves. There are 36 grounds for eviction listed in the new bill. Nonetheless, landlords won’t be able to evict anyone within the first year of a tenancy, giving tenants a 12 month “protected period.”
Notice Periods
Thanks to sustained pressure, landlords will now be required to give four months’ notice before most evictions—double the current two months. This gives renters a bit more breathing room to find a new home.
If a landlord evicts a tenant to sell the property, they can’t re-let it for 12 months. This will help prevent fraudulent use of the new eviction rules.
Rent Increases
Soaring rents are forcing many of us out of our homes and away from our communities. The government says it is banning bidding wars and limiting rent hikes. It’s been forced to announce this because LRU and others have put rising rents on the political agenda.
Under the new law, renters will be able to challenge rent hikes at a tribunal, but only if the increase goes beyond “market rate.” Until we secure real rent controls, landlords will still hold the monopoly power to push rents as high as they can. And while estate agents won’t be able to encourage bidding wars anymore, there’s a fear that landlords will just start setting higher asking prices from the start.
Tackling Disrepair and Safety Issues
Too many of us have to put up with toxic mould and dangerous disrepair. As the recent controversy around Labour MP Jas Athwal shows, landlords know they can evade accountability.
The bill introduces new safety measures, including the Decent Homes Standard (a stricter set of rules on disrepair) and Awaab’s Law, which creates new deadlines for fixing hazards. Landlords will also have to register on a national database.
However, we know these measures will only work if councils actually enforce them. A new private housing ombudsman is going to be introduced, but as social renters know, these systems are slow. Many of us will be left dealing with underfunded councils that ignore tenants’ complaints. Moving forward, councils will be required to publish data on enforcement actions, which is something we’ve long demanded. The government must now ensure that councils have the resources and will to crack down on landlords who break the rules.
Banning Discrimination
The bill also makes it illegal to discriminate against parents and people on housing benefits—something we’ve long called for. Additionally, ministers will have powers to ban other forms of discrimination in the future.
However, one discriminatory practice remains untouched: the racist “right to rent” checks. These checks force landlords and agents to check tenants’ immigration status, disproportionately impacting people of colour. We will continue to fight against this policy.
Other Key Changes
- Pets: The bill makes it easier for renters to keep pets.
- A new landlord Database.
- Rent Repayment Orders are being strengthened and the maximum repayment amount is being increased. A tenant will be eligible for a repayment order if their landlord fails to register with the new database.
A Big Step Forward
The Renters Rights Bill is a big step in the right direction, but it won’t solve the housing crisis on its own. While the end of Section 21 is a significant achievement, landlords still have too much power to hike rents and push tenants out. Many renters will continue to face unsafe living conditions, and we are far from securing the rent controls we need to protect our homes and put down roots in our communities.
But this bill shows that when we organize, we win. Now, we must keep the momentum going. The more of us who get involved, the stronger we become, and the bigger changes we can win.
