New rights for Barnet’s more than 65,000 renters will come into force in May 2026 and have been welcomed by the borough’s Labour council.
The Government announced that the new rights – enshrined in the Renters’ Rights Act – will come into force next year and include:
· An end to no fault evictions
· No selling of a property after a new tenant has moved in after 12 months
· An end to fixed-term contracts that can see tenants face a cliff edge of eviction
· A maximum of one rent increase per year that needs to be justified
· A private sector rental ombudsman that tenants can appeal to
· The right to request to keep a pet.
These changes echo Barnet Labour’s own reforms for council tenants, which have seen the end of fixed term contracts, all new tenants offered at least two options and the securing of 1,000 new council homes.
Cllr Ross Houston, Labour’s Cabinet Member for Homes and Regeneration said: “If your home is not secure it affects all aspects of your life – your work, your and your ability to carry out your caring responsibilities, for example as a parent.
“That’s why the Labour Government’s action to protect private sector tenants is so important and reflects changes we have brought in for social tenants in the borough.
“We are determined to ensure all renters in the borough can have a home.”
