The changes are the result of the Tenants' Rights Act, adopted at the end of October, and will affect over 11 million residents renting premises in England. As the government emphasizes, the aim of the new regulations is to improve the living situation of tenants and limit the increase in rental prices, which in London reach levels unattainable for many people.
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Duty to provide reasons
According to the new regulations, fixed-term contracts will become a thing of the past, and tenants will have the opportunity to end the contract with a two-month notice period. Apartment owners will, in turn, be obliged to justify the termination of the contract. Acceptable reasons included: plans to move into the property, sell it, need for major renovation, failure to pay rent on time or complaints about the tenant's behavior. The government wants to eliminate situations in which apartment owners terminate contracts in order to rent premises at a higher price. Even in the event of a justified termination of the contract, the owners will have to provide a 4-month notice period.
The new regulations also provide for restrictions on the financial terms of lease. Landlords will not be able to demand higher amounts than those specified in the original offer, in order to prevent unfair bidding between potential tenants. Deposits will not be allowed to exceed the equivalent of one month's rent, and rent increases will only be possible once a year, with two months' notice and within market rates.
Prohibition of discrimination against parents
An important aspect of the new regulations are also changes regarding equality in access to rentals. Apartment owners will not be able to reject tenants because they have children or receive benefits. However, it will still be possible to check the solvency of potential tenants. Additionally, landlords will be required to consider requests for pets and, if refused, they will need to provide a justification.
The reform of the rules for renting apartments in England is arousing interest among both tenants and property owners. The Labor government emphasizes that the changes are aimed at increasing the stability of life for millions of residents and limiting unfair practices on the rental market.
