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1. The Big Picture

The government says these reforms will benefit a whopping 11 million tenants, promising “safer, fairer, and higher quality homes” through a significant overhaul of housing laws. But don’t worry, over two million landlords won’t be left out; these changes aim to make it easier for them to regain possession of their properties when they need to.

2. Abolishing Section 21 – The Catch

Section 21 is not going away just yet. The government will delay its abolishment until the court system for handling possession cases by landlords improves. Unfortunately, they didn’t tell us how long this delay will be. But here’s a win for student landlords: there will be a new ground to repossess properties annually, making it easier to manage the student housing market.

3. Say Goodbye to Fixed-Term Tenancies

The proposed Renters’ Reform Bill will bid adieu to fixed-term tenancies, replacing them with periodic tenancies throughout the private rental sector. The idea here is to give tenants more flexibility, ensuring they’re not locked into long-term contracts.

4. Pets Welcome (Mostly)

The bill suggests landlords should consider all requests for pets on a case-by-case basis. Landlords must provide a written response within 42 days, although some exceptions apply. Factors like the size of the pet, allergies, shared spaces, and outdoor access will be considered.

5. Rent Increases Simplified

Under the new system, all rent increases will follow a streamlined mechanism similar to the existing Section 13 process. Landlords must serve a simple form to tenants with two months’ notice. If tenants think the increase is too high, they can dispute it through the First-tier Tribunal, provided they act before the new rent’s start date.