Everyone cross your acrylics, Labour’s Renters Rights Bill might actually make a difference

By Charlie Sawyer

Updated Jul 24, 2024 at 05:35 PM

Reading time: 2 minutes

60017

Could 2024 mark the start of a new era—an era where renters actually find themselves empowered against landlords? Could the girlies finally catch a break? Well, despite the new Labour government promising to introduce a new Renters Rights Bill this autumn, I won’t believe it ’till I see it. As I’m sure you’re all aware by now, landlords are the absolute worst, which is why the prospect of new legislation that could help renters demand fair treatment is something we should all be paying attention to.

It’s that time again babes, welcome back to Explained By a Blonde. This one is for the renters, so owners, go be smug somewhere else. As someone who has rented in London for over a year now, I’ve had my fair share of renting nightmares and I’ve also heard some serious horror stories from friends and colleagues. The Tory government had once promised to prioritise their rather lacklustre Renters Reform Bill, but this was soon pushed to the side when they realised that it was transphobic rhetoric that was the ‘in thing’. And then, before we knew it, a general election had been called and Parliament was dissolved.

So, it’s now up to Labour to try and implement serious change, leaving us commoners with the question: if the Renters Rights Bill passes, what will actually change?

What is in the new Labour Renters Rights Bill?

The Renters Rights Bill not only picks up where the Renters Reform Bill left off but also supplements it and proposes even more significant changes.

For starters, the new bill promises to bring an end to section 21 no-fault evictions. Currently, landlords can evict any tenant with two months’ notice without seeking court approval beforehand. However, the new bill would mean that every landlord would need to go through county courts in order to force an eviction. According to The Telegraph, some experts have warned that this move will leave the courts “swamped” and landlords without a means to evict problem tenants. Cry me a river.

That being said, a lot of recently published data seems to suggest that there are still countless landlords who use no-fault evictions maliciously and unjustifiably discriminate against tenants. One particularly worrying YouGov poll revealed that 227,000 private renters in England have been served a ‘no-fault’ eviction notice in the past three years.

Speaking on the bill, Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated: “Too many people currently live with the threat of insecurity and injustice, and so we will make sure everyone can grow up in the secure housing they deserve. We will introduce tough new protections for renters, end no-fault evictions and raise standards to make sure homes are safe for people to live in.”

@darthunicorn3.0

At last!! #labour #renting #renters #rentingproblems #trending #relateable

♬ original sound - Darth Unicorn

Abolishing section 21 would empower tenants to feel comfortable to challenge rent increases without fear of eviction. Greater tenant protections would also encourage more renters to take their landlord to court over issues such as withholding their deposit or refusing to pay for necessary damages or maintenance.

Another really important aspect of the Renters Rights Bill is the fact that Labour has promised to fund local authorities and provide them with greater power to identify and fine landlords who don’t maintain property standards.

Moreover, as amplified by the homeless charity Shelter, the new bill must “support renters to challenge bad practices by increasing the availability of free legal advice and support through legal aid.”

Also, if you have a pup or an emotional support cat (I’m still trying to get them to take my application seriously) you’ll be pleased to hear that the bill will give tenants the legal right to request a pet in their home.

While it will be some time before the Renters Rights Bill passes into law, this is a step in the right direction. So, everyone, cross your acrylics and hope for the best.

Keep On Reading

By Charlie Sawyer

How to take your landlord to court: Find out what you can sue them for and the potential risks

By Charlie Sawyer

I hate it here: The SCREENSHOT team on how the rental crisis is impacting gen Zers

By Fatou Ferraro Mboup

Character.AI chatbots are targeting teens into anorexia with dangerous advice

By Abby Amoakuh

Meet Laura and Becky, the women hunting and exposing cheaters live to thousands on TikTok

By Abby Amoakuh

Internet users dig up old clips of Yung Filly following the YouTuber’s arrest in Australia

By Abby Amoakuh

Bridgerton event compared to Glasgow Willy Wonka experience after guests paid $250 for raw food

By Charlie Sawyer

Man, 81, sentenced to 6 months in prison for trying to create giant hybrid species of wild sheep

By Abby Amoakuh

Putin urges Russians to boost birth rate by procreating at work during lunch and coffee breaks

By Fatou Ferraro Mboup

Is the Ask for Angela scheme a fraud? New shocking investigation exposes dangerous failings

By Fatou Ferraro Mboup

Israel’s controversial ban on UNRWA: Examining the legal fallout and humanitarian consequences

By Abby Amoakuh

Avery Woods slammed for vulgar and offensive remarks during podcast episode with Harry Jowsey

By Fatou Ferraro Mboup

Strava mule reveals shocking reason why Strava users are paying him to run for them

By Abby Amoakuh

Why are people claiming that Mark Zuckerberg killed JonBenét Ramsey and Jeffrey Epstein?

By Abby Amoakuh

Move over manosphere, TikTok girlies are embracing the carnivore diet and becoming meatfluencers

By Charlie Sawyer

Delta Air Lines exposed for invasive underwear regulations in leaked document

By Abby Amoakuh

The Menendez brothers star in new documentary to hit back at Ryan Murphy’s Monsters

By Charlie Sawyer

Unhinged podcast’s viral TikTok exposes how sexist phrases reflect men’s failures

By Abby Amoakuh

Misogynists are using AI to both sexualise tradwives and turn normal women into domestic servants

By Fatou Ferraro Mboup

Bonnie Blue breaks world record by sleeping with 1,057 men in just 12 hours. Is this empowerment or exploitation?

By Fatou Ferraro Mboup

Tampons contain arsenic, lead, and other toxic metals, study confirms