Renter’s Rights Bill and No-Fault Evictions

The King’s Speech on 17 July 2024 promised a number of changes to the current state of leasehold and rental law – some of which we have covered in previous articles. Here we will discuss the proposed changes to No-Fault Evictions under section 21 of the Housing Act 1988.

Currently, once the contractual term of an assured shorthold tenancy ends, landlords can evict tenants without providing any reason. They just need to serve a “Section 21” notice on their tenants, providing a minimum of 2 months’ notice and satisfy certain pre-conditions. If the tenant does not leave during the notice period, they can issue court proceedings to obtain possession. Proceedings for possession cannot be commenced less than six months after the s.21 notice is given (with exceptions).

The King’s Speech confirmed that the government will ban no fault evictions as part of the Renter’s Rights Bill. This is part of a plan to give greater rights and protection to people renting their homes.

The Bill is currently at the report stage in the House of Commons, having had its first and second readings and has now passed through the committee stage with some amendments.

The Renters’ Rights Bill Becomes Law

Earlier this week, the long‐awaited Renters’ Rights Bill cleared the ‘ping-pong’ stage between the Commons and Lords to receive Royal Assent and become law. For tenants, landlords and property professionals alike, this marks a major overhaul for the residential rental market.

Government consults on banning new leasehold flats, ground rent cap, and transition to commonhold

The Government has now opened a consultation in this regard titled “Moving to commonhold: banning leasehold for new flats”.

The consultation forms part of the next phase of leasehold reform and sits alongside the ongoing implementation of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 (‘The 2024 Act’) and the recently published draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill (‘The Bill’).

This seeks opinions from leaseholders, landlords and managing agents about how the Bill’s proposed ban on new residential leaseholds should be implemented in practice.