A plain-English guide to the upcoming tenancy reforms — your rights as a tenant and how the new rules will change renting in East London and Essex.
The Renters' Rights Act represents the most significant change to residential tenancy law in England in a generation. Once enacted, it will abolish fixed-term Assured Shorthold Tenancies (ASTs) for all new and existing tenancies, replacing them with rolling periodic tenancies from day one. This guide explains what the changes mean for tenants in East London and Essex. Section 21 'no-fault' evictions will be abolished: your landlord can no longer ask you to leave without providing a specific legal reason from the reformed list of grounds. In exchange, landlords will have strengthened grounds for possession where tenants are in serious rent arrears or wish to sell or move back into the property — but these grounds come with proper notice periods and the right of challenge in the First-tier Tribunal. Rent increases will be limited to once per year on a rolling basis, via a formal Section 13 notice, giving you the right to refer any proposed increase to the Tribunal if you consider it above the local market rate. Deposit caps remain (five weeks' rent for annual rent under £50,000). Our lettings team is happy to discuss how these changes affect your current tenancy or any rental you are considering.
Grace Okafor
Head of Lettings & Property Management
Specialisms: Residential lettings, Full property management, Landlord compliance, Tenancy legislation
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