Significant changes are coming to the private rental sector across England, including East Herts, as the Renters’ Rights Act introduces one of the biggest overhauls of renting rules in decades. The reforms aim to strengthen tenant protections while creating clearer rules for landlords and letting agents managing properties in areas such as Stanstead Abbotts.
One of the most widely discussed changes is the abolition of Section 21 “no fault” evictions. Once the new rules take effect, landlords will no longer be able to end a tenancy without providing a legally valid reason. Instead, possession of a property will only be possible through defined legal grounds, such as serious rent arrears, anti-social behaviour, or when a landlord intends to sell or move into the property.
Another key reform is the end of fixed term assured shorthold tenancies. Under the new system, most private tenancies will become periodic, meaning they continue on a rolling basis until either the tenant chooses to leave or the landlord regains possession using a legitimate legal ground. Tenants will generally be required to give two months’ notice when they wish to move out.
Changes are also being introduced around rent increases and rental practices. Landlords will be limited to increasing rent once per year using the formal Section 13 process, and tenants will be given at least two months’ notice before a new rent takes effect. Tenants will also have the right to challenge increases if they believe the amount is not in line with market rates.
The reforms also introduce stricter rules around renting practices. Landlords will not be able to request more than one month’s rent in advance and rental bidding wars will be prohibited, meaning landlords must advertise a clear asking rent and cannot encourage tenants to offer above it.
Other measures aim to improve fairness and transparency in the rental market. Landlords will be expected to consider reasonable requests from tenants who wish to keep pets, and discrimination against tenants with children or those receiving benefits will be restricted under the new framework.
For landlords in Stanstead Abbotts and across East Herts, these reforms mean preparing early and reviewing tenancy agreements, rental practices and property management processes. Working with an experienced local estate and letting agent can help ensure compliance while protecting your investment property.
If you are a landlord or tenant in East Herts and would like guidance on how these rental law changes may affect you, contact Hunters Stanstead Abbotts today. Our local team can provide practical advice and support for navigating the evolving Hertfordshire property market.
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“I have been in and around the Hertfordshire property market for over 25 years, starting as an estate agent in the county town of Hertford and now running a successful lettings and property management company based in Stanstead Abbotts. I have let and managed property all over Hertfordshire from the area that I currently work to Wheathampstead where I owned and managed a lettings & estate agents to Watford and surrounding areas where my company acted as a marketing agent for one of the largest property management companies in the country.”
