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.

King's Speech 2026

Yesterday’s King’s Speech confirmed that the Government intends to continue with further leasehold and commonhold reform legislation during the current Parliamentary session.

The speech itself contained only a brief reference to leasehold reform, stating: “My Ministers will bring forward legislation to increase long-term investment in social housing and to reform the leasehold system, including the capping of ground rents.”

However, accompanying Government briefings and subsequent ministerial commentary make clear that the proposed reforms are intended to go significantly further than the measures already contained in the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 (LAFRA 2024).

Draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill

In January 2026 the Government published the Draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill, confirming its intention to cap ground rents in existing residential leases at £250 per annum, with a longer-term objective of reducing those rents to a peppercorn. Another proposal by the Bill is to ban the creation of new leaseholds and instead to make commonhold the default mode of flat ownership.

The Bill has been published in draft form only and is subject to pre-legislative scrutiny, consultation and amendment. It is important for leaseholders, landlords and managing agents to understand the effects of the proposals and the likely timescale for their implementation.