Likely to come into effect between October 2025 and January 2026, the Labour Party’s Renters’ Rights Bill promises to improve the current private renting system.
If you pay rent, keep reading to find out how this could affect you and your finances.
What is the Renters’ Rights Bill?
The Renters’ Rights Bill promises to improve the experience of private renting for both the 11 million private renters and 2.3 million landlords in England.
The way the Labour Party proposes to do this is by ending Section 21 no-fault evictions, giving renters greater security so they can stay in their homes for longer and avoid the risk of homelessness.
What is a No-Fault Eviction?
A no-fault eviction allows a landlord to end a private tenancy without needing to provide a reason. You can get a no-fault notice if you have one of the following occupation contracts (and it states in it that your landlord can give you a no-fault notice):
- A periodic standard contract
- A fixed-term standard contract
- A converted standard contract
If you have a different type of contract, not mentioned in the list above, your landlord’s no-fault notice won’t be valid and you will be able to challenge the eviction. It’s also important to note that, once the Renters’ Rights Bill comes into effect, all tenancy contracts will be made periodic – meaning fixed-term and converted tenancies will become void.
In the meantime, if you aren’t sure which type of contract you have, check your written statement.
How Will the Renters’ Rights Bill Impact My Finances?
But, how does all of this affect your finances?
- Stronger protection against ‘backdoor evictions’ – Tenants will be able to appeal excessive, above-market rents which are purely designed to force them out. However, landlords will still be able to increase rents, as long as they are within market prices, and an independent tribunal will make a judgment on this if needed.
- The Decent Homes Standard will be applied to the private rented sector – Renters will be offered safer, better-value homes.
- The end of rental bidding – Landlords and agents will be required to publish the asking rent price for the property and it will be illegal to ask for, or accept, offers made above this rate.
- Stronger rent repayment orders – Rent repayment orders will be extended to superior landlords, doubling the maximum penalty and ensuring repeat offenders have to repay the maximum amount.
Read the full UK Government’s guide to the Renters’ Rights Bill here.
Get Confidential Rent Debt Help
Since rent is a priority debt, if you fail to keep up with your repayments, your landlord can take legal action against you, leading to rent arrears and potentially eviction. But the good news is, you don’t need to struggle alone.
Our friendly and knowledgeable debt advisers have helped over 48,000 people deal with debt. So, if you’re behind on your repayments and you need rent arrears help, you’re worried about the Renters’ Rights Bill and its stronger rent repayment orders, or you simply need rent debt help in general – we offer a wide range of debt solutions, as well as free* and confidential debt advice, to help you get back on your feet.
If all you need is some debt advice, this won’t affect your credit score. Our Online Debt Advice (ODA) tool is available any time, day or night. Free and easy-to-use, our online tool can help you instantly weigh up the debt solutions available to you, all without having to pick up the phone.
Alternatively, if you would prefer to speak to someone, contact us to talk to one of our approachable and experienced debt advisers, who can offer you free, confidential debt advice specific to your circumstances.
