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Issue - meetings

RENTERS RIGHT ACT

 

 

Meeting: 14/04/2026 - Cabinet (Item 39)

39 RENTERS RIGHT ACT pdf icon PDF 225 KB

REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR – REGULATORY

 

Please note that this report is for Cabinet to consider four legal documents all of which are directly affected by the Renters Rights Act, 2025 (the Act), and need to be either amended or in place before the Act takes effect from the 1st May 2026.

 

Additional documents:

Decision:

RESOLVED:That Cabinet:

 

(1)   Adopted the following policy amendments and new related policies, so as to enable the Council to enforce the requirements of the Act from 1 May 2026:

i.                Amendments to the Corporate Statement of Enforcement Policy (CSEP)

ii.              Amendments to the CSEP Appendix B: Environmental Health.

iii.             Amendments to the CSEP Appendix G: Access to Housing.

iv.             Adoption of The Housing Authority Enforcement Policy.

v.              Adoption of The Civil Penalties Policy for Proceedings under the Renters Rights Act 2025 and other Housing Legislation.

 

(2)   Delegated and passed to the Director – Regulatory in consultation with the Executive Member for Regulatory, in accordance with the provisions of the Council, to make future amendments to:

 

i.                The CSEP, Appendix B: Environmental Health

ii.              The CSEP, Appendix G: Access to Housing

iii.             The Housing Authority Enforcement Policy

iv.             The Civil Penalties Policy for Proceedings under the Renters Rights Act 2025 and other Housing Legislation.

 

REASON FOR DECISIONS: The recommendations ensure the Council can meet its statutory duties under Section 107 of the Renters Rights Act 2025 and permits the necessary amendments to existing Council policies and provisions. This will enable the Council to better protect those constituents living in the rented sector, provide clear foundation for those providing rented accommodation and mitigate the risk of legal challenges and reputational harm should the Council fail to fully adopt this new statute.

Minutes:

Audio recording – 16 minutes 10 seconds

 

Councillor Mick Debenham, as Executive Member for Regulatory, presented the report entitled ‘Renters Right Act’ and advised that:

 

·       The Renters Rights Act would be implemented by a phased approach and Part 1 of the Act would come into effect on 1 May 2026.

·       This would abolish ‘no fault’ evictions, ending the ability of landlord to evict tenants without statutory grounds.

·       There would be an automatic move to assured periodic tenancies.

·       Any increases in rent would be limited to once every 12 months.

·       The introduction of prohibitions on rental bidding and obtaining rent in advance of occupation.

·       Strengthened protections against any discrimination of tenants.

·       There was a new right for tenants to request pets, where landlords must consider these requests reasonably.

·       New Burdens Funding had been awarded to local authorities by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) to assist with the burden the changes in the Act would impose on them. North Herts Council had received £33K for 2025/26 and would receive £55K in 2026/26 and a further £26K in 2027/28.

 

The following Members asked questions:

 

·       Councillor Ian Albert

·       Councillor Daniel Allen

·       Councillor Tamsin Thomas

 

In response to questions, the Environmental Health Manager advised that:

 

·       For clarification, Jigsaw was an organisation funding and supported by the government to promote the collaboration of Private Rented Sector regulatory teams to support the introduction of the Renters Right Act.

·       Additional funding had been received by government and some of this funding could be used for the resourcing of additional staff if required. 

·       These policies were for adoption by all local authorities, so there would be no disparity in the Local Government Reorganisation.

·       A Landlord Ombudsman would be established in 2027 to assist and provide support to private rented sector tenants

·       The Act was introduced to rebalance the powers and protection afforded to tenants as it as felt by government that previous legislation had shifted the powers too much in favour of the landlord, although it was recognised that any effect could only been seen over time.

 

Councillor Mick Debenham proposed and Councillor Tamsin Thomas seconded and, following a vote, it was:

 

RESOLVED:That Cabinet:

 

(1)   Adopted the following policy amendments and new related policies, so as to enable the Council to enforce the requirements of the Act from 1 May 2026:

i.                Amendments to the Corporate Statement of Enforcement Policy (CSEP)

ii.              Amendments to the CSEP Appendix B: Environmental Health.

iii.             Amendments to the CSEP Appendix G: Access to Housing.

iv.             Adoption of The Housing Authority Enforcement Policy.

v.              Adoption of The Civil Penalties Policy for Proceedings under the Renters Rights Act 2025 and other Housing Legislation.

 

(2)   Delegated and passed to the Director – Regulatory in consultation with the Executive Member for Regulatory, in accordance with the provisions of the Council, to make future amendments to:

 

i.                The CSEP, Appendix B: Environmental Health

ii.              The CSEP, Appendix G: Access to Housing

iii.             The Housing Authority Enforcement Policy

iv.             The Civil Penalties Policy  ...  view the full minutes text for item 39