The government has confirmed when the upcoming ban on no-fault evictions will come into force.
From May 1, evicting tenants without good reason will be outlawed, ministers said today.
Examples of ‘good reason’ will include tenants going into arrears or engaging in anti-social behaviour, or the landlord deciding to sell up.
Landlords will also be banned from requiring tenants to pay more than one month’s rent up front at the start of the let.
It will also become illegal to increase rent more than once a year and accept ‘bidding wars’ between prospective tenants.
These measures are among a raft of changes being made to the Renters’ Rights Act.
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Other measures include forbidding landlords to refuse tenants because they’re on benefits or have children.
They also won’t be able to refuse requests from their tenants to own pets unless they have good reason to do so.
Further changes will come into force in two phases, with the first coming in late 2026.
Speaking to the Big Issue, Keir Starmer said: ‘Of course, the vast majority of landlords are respectable and reasonable, treating their tenants well and providing an important service.
‘But it’s about time that we rebalanced the system to give renters more rights and more power in their homes. That’s exactly what this Act does.
‘This generational uplift in renters’ rights is about putting more power into the hands of people who have had to stand for unfair behaviour for too long.
‘By giving renters the rights, security and protections they deserve we’ll be able to prevent homelessness, put an end to unsafe housing and make sure people can live with dignity and without fear for the future.’
Tom Darling, director of the Renters’ Reform Coalition, which has long campaigned for an end to no-fault evictions, welcomed the ‘huge news’.
Sarah Elliott, chief executive of housing and homelessness charity Shelter, said: ‘Too many have been silenced about discrimination and unsafe conditions.
‘Today we celebrate that their voices have finally been heard, and change is on the way.’
Ben Beadle, chief executive of the National Residential Landlords Association, insisted more time is needed ‘to ensure the sector is properly prepared for the biggest changes it has faced for over 40 years’.
‘Unless the Government urgently publishes all the guidance documents and written material needed to update tenancy agreements to reflect the changes to come, the plan will prove less a roadmap and more a path to inevitable failure’, he said.
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