Over the years, countless constituents have contacted me for support with issues in the private rented sector. Safe, secure housing is a basic need, yet too many renters continue to face uncertainty about their future.
In Manchester Rusholme, around 40% of households live in private rental properties with the knowledge that they and their families could be uprooted from their homes with little notice and minimal justification. A significant number are also forced to tolerate substandard living conditions, fearing that raising a complaint could lead to a retaliatory eviction. This is neither fair nor sustainable.
That is why I welcome the action radical taken by this Labour Government to secure a fairer future for renters. With the Renters’ Rights Act passed in October, protections have been strengthened for the 11 million private renters across England, bringing an end to a system that has too often left tenants vulnerable to unfair treatment and insecurity.
Coming into force in May 2026, this legislation represents the most significant expansion of renters’ rights in a generation. It will provide greater security and stability, enabling people to remain in their homes for longer, put down roots in their communities, and reduce the risk of homelessness.
The greater protection for renters will include:
- Abolishing Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions
- Limiting the number of time rent can be increase the rent to once a year.
- Limiting the rent that can be requested in advance to 1 month
- Scrapping fixed-term contracts
- Banning rental bidding wars
- Strengthening tenants’ rights regarding pets and property standards
After 14 years of Conservatives purposefully failing to protect England’s renters, these reforms will help rebalance the relationship between landlords and tenants as part of the Government’s Plan for Change. It is deeply disappointing that both the Conservatives and the Reform Party voted against measures designed to protect working people who deserve security in their homes, rented or otherwise.
You can read a full overview of the changes here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guide-to-the-renters-rights-act/guide-to-the-renters-rights-act
If you are experiencing issues with your housing, please do not hesitate to contact my office via Afzal.khan.mp@parliament.uk