Landlords and tenants have been waiting on tenterhooks whilst successive governments proposed but failed to implement and deliver upon promised reforms to the private rental sector.

Former Conservative Prime Minister Theresa May first made the pledge to scrap Section 21 notices in 2019. Her successor Boris Johnson promised it in his manifesto; however, it remained unimplemented in the years that followed.

Now, under a new administration and the Labour Party’s leadership, Keir Starmer’s Government is looking to go even further and faster – with a Renters’ Rights Bill that aims to “decisively level the playing field between landlords and tenants”.

This legislation, which is expected to receive Royal Assent this summer, poses several new challenges, requirements and expectations for landlords across the United Kingdom.

Amongst other key changes, the Renter’s Rights Bill will end Section 21 evictions for both new and existing tenancies, meaning landlords will no longer be able to evict a tenant without reason.

Landlords will still be able to evict tenants if they have a statutory ground for doing so, such as if the landlord intends to sell the property, the tenant is in rent arrears or commits anti-social behaviour, but they will only be able to do so using the amended Section 8 process.

A new Private Rented Sector Landlord Ombudsman will also be introduced to “provide quick and binding resolutions” about complaints, alongside a mandatory database to help landlords understand their legal obligations and demonstrate compliance with them.