Millions of renters are set to reap the rewards of greater security in their homes without fear of eviction, thanks to the return of the landmark Renters’ Rights Bill in Parliament today.
New changes announced today will go even further to strengthen the Bill, which is set to be the biggest shake up to the private rented sector for over 30 years, delivering stronger protections and rights to 11 million private renters across the country.
Landlords will no longer be able to demand multiple months’ rent in advance as a condition for securing a home, in a new amendment from the government being debated today. There is currently no limit on how much rent a landlord can request upfront, and some renters are being asked to pay up to a years’ worth of rent, amounting to thousands of pounds before even agreeing a tenancy.
Finding these large sums of cash upfront is impossible for many renters, making it harder for those on lower incomes to get housing and can lock them out of the rental market altogether, or lead to debt or increased risk of homelessness.
Landlords can still be confident that tenants will be able to sustain their tenancy agreements, with the ability to request one month’s rent in advance, alongside a security deposit of up to 5 or 6 weeks rent. These measures can give landlords the confidence that their tenants will meet their commitments and lead to a more sustainable, fairer market for both tenants and landlords.
This amendment will crack down on the small number of unscrupulous landlords who are making the most out of the housing crisis by asking some tenants to pay huge amounts in rent before being able to move into a home, and make sure housing is accessible and fair for millions of tenants.
