This week, Parliament passed the Renters’ Rights Act – a long-awaited change that will reshape renting in England. For the 11 million people living in private rented homes, this is a momentous step towards greater security and stability.
For years, the sudden loss of a privately rented home has been one of the leading causes of homelessness. Many families have found themselves facing eviction through no fault of their own, often with little warning and nowhere affordable to move. The passing of this act offers hope that fewer people will be pushed into crisis.
What the new Renters’ Rights Act means for renters
The Renters’ Rights Act brings in several major changes that could help stop homelessness before it starts:
- Section 21 “no-fault” evictions will be abolished. Tenants can no longer be asked to leave without a clear reason.
- Fixed-term tenancies will largely be replaced with rolling tenancies, giving people more control and stability.
- Protections from unfair rent rises will be strengthened, with limits on how often rent can increase.
- Discrimination against families with children or people receiving benefits will be prohibited.
- Councils will gain stronger powers to challenge unsafe housing and take action against landlords who do not meet basic standards.
For many families, these changes could mean the difference between staying securely in their home and facing the upheaval of temporary accommodation.
The potential impact on homelessness
At Church Homeless Charity, we know how destabilising the loss of a home can be. When someone suddenly has to move in a difficult rental market, often with little notice, it becomes incredibly hard to find a new, affordable place in time. That’s when people can slip into homelessness, even after doing everything right.
Removing no-fault evictions gives renters more protection from sudden changes. This legislation could help reduce one of the most common triggers of homelessness. It also encourages earlier intervention, allowing support workers to help manage arrears or resolve issues before a tenancy breaks down.
The act focusing on safer homes is also welcome. Being able to challenge poor conditions without fear of retaliation is essential, especially for families trying to raise children.
Challenges still ahead
While this is a positive step, the act will not end homelessness on its own. Implementing the changes will take time, and many existing tenancies will continue under the old rules for a while yet.
There are also concerns that some landlords may choose to leave the private rental market. This could reduce the number of available homes. Without adequate resources for local councils, enforcement may be difficult. Some renters may struggle to benefit fully from the new protections.
And of course, homelessness is rarely caused by one issue alone. Mental health problems, trauma, debt and other pressures can all contribute. Housing reform must go hand-in-hand with wider support to make lasting change.
A moment to welcome progress
Despite these challenges, the passing of the Renters’ Rights Act is a significant and hopeful moment. It shows what is possible when people speak up for fairer housing and when Parliament listens.
This new legislation gives millions of renters a better chance of building secure, stable lives. And it provides new opportunities to prevent homelessness long before someone reaches the crisis point.
As always, Church Homeless Charity will continue working with homelessness schemes across England to offer small grants that help people rebuild after difficult times. We hope this act marks the beginning of a safer, fairer future for renters, so that fewer people will ever have to face the fear of losing their home.
You can read the full Renters’ Rights Act here: Renters’ Rights Act