Is renting too expensive in the UK? Have your say

Rents are rising all around the county
-Credit:Getty


Landmark renters' rights laws are set to be introduced this year, although some critics argue they don't go far enough. The Renters' Rights Bill is poised to revolutionise the market in favour of tenants, with the government pledging to scrap the section 21 "no-fault" evictions, cap initial payments and bolster enforcement of housing standards.

Have your say! What has your experience been of renting privately in the UK, or the experience of friends and family? Is it too expensive to find decent rented housing? Comment below, and join in on the conversation.

The bill tackles one of the most significant grievances among UK renters: the no-fault eviction. The infamous "section 21" allows landlords to evict tenants without a fixed tenancy end date or after a fixed term concludes.

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Advocates for tenant rights have long anticipated these changes the concept was first proposed under the Conservative government but faced delays over concerns regarding landlord impacts.

Furthermore, the forthcoming bill seeks to enhance the accessibility and security of renting by limiting initial rent deposits to just one month's rent and providing increased support for those contesting what they believe to be unjust rent hikes.

Some campaigners' calls for rent control - the idea of a regulatory body being empowered to limit rents in a specific area or prevent them from increasing beyond a measure like inflation or wage growth - have been dismissed by the Labour government. Ministers are concerned that such measures could lead to a decrease in housing supply and deter investment, ultimately making renting more difficult.

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Tom Darling, director of the Renters' Reform Coalition, spoke to the Mirror about the significance of the reforms for the UK, but argued they should be more ambitious in capping costs.

He commented: "If you're right on the breadline and your budget has already been massively squeezed by the cost of living, a huge rent increase will act as a sort of de facto eviction notice for you."

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government stated: "Our Renters' Rights Bill will strengthen tenants' rights by banning section 21 'no fault' evictions and while we do not have plans to introduce rent controls, we are taking action to cap rent payable at the start of a tenancy to one month, end unfair bidding wars, and give tenants stronger powers to challenge excessive rent hikes. This is alongside boosting supply by building 1.5 million homes as part of our Plan for Change."

Have your say! What has your experience been of renting privately in the UK, or the experience of friends and family? Is it too expensive to find decent rented housing? Comment below, and join in on the conversation.

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