The Government has confirmed plans to ban no-fault evictions and in-contract rent increases as it prepares to present the Renters’ Rights Bill to Parliament today.

The Bill will abolish Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions for new and existing tenancies and will also end blanket bans for those on benefits or with children.  

An announcement this morning from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said the Bill will extend Awaab’s Law into the private rented sector, letting tenants challenge dangerous conditions and it will also apply the Decent Home Standard for rentals. 

Landlords will also not be able to include mid-tenancy increases in contracts and would only be able to raise the rent once a year, and to the market rate.  

The update confirmed rumours of a ban on rental bidding wars.

Landlords and letting agents will be legally required to publish an asking rent for their property. They will also be banned from asking for, encouraging, or accepting any bids above this price

The announcement said a new Private Rented Sector Database will also be created to help landlords understand their obligations for compliance and provide tenants the information they need to make informed choices for new tenancies. It will also enable councils to focus enforcement where it is needed most.  

Earlier this week, the Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook met with landlord and tenant groups and committed to engaging with them as the Bill progresses, to ensure the sector is ready for the changes.  

Housing Secretary Angela Rayner said:  “Renters have been let down for too long and too many are stuck in disgraceful conditions, powerless to act because of the threat of a retaliatory eviction hanging over them.  

“Most landlords act in a responsible way but a small number of unscrupulous ones are tarnishing the reputation of the whole sector by making the most of the housing crisis and forcing tenants into bidding wars.   

“There can be no more dither and delay. We must overhaul renting and rebalance the relationship between tenant and landlord. This Bill will do just that and tenants can be reassured this Government will protect them.”