Thursday 30th October 2025

By Bridlington Gold Radio Editor

A landmark housing reform bill, set to become law in the coming weeks, is being hailed as a transformative moment for renters across the UK — and a major step forward in the fight against homelessness.

The legislation, originally published on 27th October 2025, introduces sweeping changes to the private rental sector, aiming to provide tenants with greater security, fairer treatment, and safer homes. Local housing advocates and national charities have welcomed the move, describing it as long overdue.

St Mungo’s Welcomes Reform

St Mungo’s, a leading homelessness charity, praised the bill for addressing the root causes of housing instability. “We see the real human impact of people pushed to the brink of homelessness by spiralling rents, unfair evictions and poor-quality housing,” a spokesperson said. “Affordable, accessible private rented housing is essential — not just to prevent homelessness, but to support recovery.”

The charity also called for a comprehensive homelessness strategy across government departments, backed by long-term funding, to build on the momentum.

Key Measures in the Bill

The new legislation includes a wide range of reforms designed to rebalance the relationship between landlords and tenants:

- End of ‘No-Fault’ Evictions: Section 21 evictions will be abolished, with all assured tenancies becoming periodic.

- Fair Possession Grounds: Tenants gain more security, while landlords retain the right to reclaim properties under reasonable conditions.

- Rent Appeal Rights: Tenants can challenge excessive rent hikes intended to force them out.

- Landlord Accountability: A new Ombudsman will offer fast, impartial resolution of tenant complaints.

- Transparency Tools: A national database will help landlords comply with legal standards and empower tenants with better information.

- Pet-Friendly Policies: Tenants can request to keep pets, and landlords must consider such requests fairly.

- Decent Homes Standard: This will now apply to private rentals, tackling unsafe and substandard housing.

- Awaab’s Law Extension: Landlords must act swiftly to fix serious hazards, with clear legal timeframes.

- Anti-Discrimination Rules: It will be illegal to reject tenants based on benefits or family status.

- Ban on Rental Bidding: Landlords must advertise a fixed rent and cannot accept offers above it.

- Stronger Enforcement: Councils will gain new powers and must report on enforcement activity.

- Tougher Penalties: Rent repayment orders will be expanded, with doubled fines for repeat offenders.