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Renters' Rights Act: What It Means for Tenants and Landlords
The law protects 11 million private tenants and carries penalties of up to £40,000 for landlords who break the rules.
On Friday, the Renters' Rights Act takes effect in England, banning no-fault evictions and ending fixed-term contracts to protect 11 million private renters.
Years of campaigning led to this shift after previous governments failed to address sector insecurity; the Act removes landlords' power to evict tenants at two months' notice without providing reason.
New rules outlaw rental bidding wars and grant tenants enhanced powers to challenge unjustifiable rent increases, while prohibiting landlords from discriminating against those receiving benefits or with children.
Clara Collingwood, Director at the Renters Reform Coalition, called the changes a 'huge step forward' for security; more than 2,000 households monthly gain protection from homelessness caused by no-fault evictions.
Housing Secretary Steve Reed stated the Act is the 'biggest increase in rights' for renters in a generation, as government invests £39 billion to build more social and affordable homes.