Today is a landmark moment for renters in the city as new rights for tenants come into force as a result of this Labour government’s Renters Rights Act.
I’ve spoken to too many families who have faced insecurity, sudden evictions and poor housing. And at my surgeries and on doorsteps, renters in Southampton tell me that they feel that the scales have been tipped against them. That changes today
Under the new laws that come into force today:
Landlords will no longer be able to make evictions for no reason with a Section 21 notice, putting an end to revenge evictions for tenants who make legitimate requests for repairs or complaints about conditions.
Tenants cannot be made to pay rent more than one month in advance.
Landlords can only put the rent up once a year and they must give at least two months’ notice. Tenants will also be able to go to a rent tribunal if they think the rent is too much.
It will be illegal to refuse tenants just because they receive benefits or have kids
Councils are also being given new powers to crack down on rogue landlords, with Southampton City Council receiving more than £240,000 from the government to support enforcing these new rules.
Landlords will still be able to get their properties back for clear and justifiable reasons – like selling up, moving in, or dealing with rent arrears and antisocial behaviour.
I’m really proud to have helped bring in this fairer deal for renters and landlords in Southampton and I would encourage everyone to make sure that they are aware of their new rights and responsibilities from today.
The government has published an information sheet for tenants and landlords with lots of useful information about your new rights and responsibilities. Do take a look.