Overview
- The Renters' Rights Act, which takes effect May 1, ends fixed-term assured shorthold tenancies and moves new and existing lets to rolling month‑to‑month agreements that tenants can end with two months’ notice while landlords must use Section 8 with specific grounds.
- A SpareRoom survey finds that since Royal Assent about six months ago, 11% of tenants received an eviction notice and three in ten saw rent rise, suggesting some landlords acted before the new protections begin.
- Notice periods change under the law, with four months’ notice when selling a property and four weeks in cases of rent arrears, while money rules cap upfront payments at one month’s rent and allow only one rent increase per year with two months’ notice and a right to challenge at a tribunal.
- Landlords can no longer reject applicants because they have children or receive benefits, and they must answer pet requests within 28 days and give reasonable grounds if they refuse.
- Advisers urge landlords to switch to updated non‑fixed‑term agreements from May 1, use Form 4A for rent increases, and keep thorough records and inspections, warning of large fines and tougher local council enforcement for breaches.