Renters Rights Bill - Another addition to Landlord Obligations
The introduction of the Renters Rights Bill is one of the biggest shifts in housing law for 30 years. However, landlords have been navigating legal changes for almost 100 years.
The list below shows some of the legislation affecting landlords, tenants, and property professionals in the England & Wales.
1920s
Governs the transfer of property ownership and rights, including landlord and tenant contracts.
1950s
Accommodation Agencies Act 1953
Regulates accommodation agencies and prevents unscrupulous practices in by property professionals.
1950s–1960s
Establishes duties of care for occupiers of property to ensure visitors are reasonably safe.
Protects against false statements made by landlords or agents during tenancy agreements.
1970s
Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
Imposes a duty on employers and landlords to ensure the safety of employees, tenants, and the public.
Consolidated earlier Rent Acts, providing security of tenure and rent regulation for protected tenancies.
Torts (Interference with Goods) Act 1977
Governs the rights and duties of landlords and tenants regarding goods left behind.
Protection from Eviction Act 1977
Protects tenants from being evicted without a court order.
1980s
Sets time limits for bringing legal claims, including those related to property disputes.
Introduced "Right to Buy" for council tenants and secured tenancy rights.
Sets out general building regulations and requirements for maintaining properties.
An Act to amend the law of England and Wales as to the liability of persons as occupiers of premises for injury suffered by persons other than their visitors; and to amend the Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977, as it applies to England and Wales, in relation to persons obtaining access to premises for recreational or educational purposes.
Requires landlords to maintain properties in good repair and disclose service charges.
Housing Benefit (General) Regulations 1987
Governs housing benefit for tenants, including regulations for landlords.
Introduced Assured Shorthold Tenancies and gave landlords more rights to evict tenants under Section 21.
Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988 (as amended)
Imposes fire safety standards for furniture provided in rental properties.
Law of Property (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1989
Relates to property conveyancing and landlord-tenant agreements.
Housing Benefit (Information from Landlords and Agents) Regulations 1997
Outlines landlords' obligations to provide information for housing benefit claims.
1990s
Environmental Protection Act 1990
Addresses environmental health issues, including noise and waste, affecting rented properties.
Town and Country Planning Act 1990
Governs land use and planning, including changes affecting rental properties.
Part P Building Regulations (Electrical Safety in Dwellings) 1991
Requires certain electrical works in homes to be carried out by certified electricians.
An Act to make provision with respect to the fitting of smoke detectors in new dwellings.
Noise and Statutory Nuisance Act 1993
Provides measures to address noise and nuisance complaints, affecting tenants in noisy environments.
Access to Neighbouring Land Act 1992
Allows landlords to gain access to neighbouring land to carry out maintenance.
Requires landlords to notify neighbours of any work affecting shared walls or boundaries.
Strengthened landlords' rights to repossess properties and addressed anti-social behaviour.
Asbestos (Prohibitions) Regulations 1992
Banned the use of blue and brown asbestos in buildings.
Regulates excessive noise in properties and sets out responsibilities for landlords.
Protection from Harassment Act 1997
Protects tenants from harassment by landlords.
Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998
Requires landlords to ensure gas appliances are safe and carry out annual gas safety checks.
Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations 1999
Protects tenants from unfair terms in tenancy agreements.
Rent Acts (Maximum Fair Rent) Order 1999
Regulates maximum rent increases for certain tenancies.
2000s
Includes measures to prevent money laundering in property transactions.
Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002
Introduced commonhold property ownership and gave leaseholders more rights.
An Act to make provision about housing conditions; to regulate houses in multiple occupation and certain other residential accommodation;
Management of Houses in Multiple Occupation (England) Regulations 2006
Sets out the responsibilities for managing HMOs, including fire safety and maintenance.
Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008
Protects tenants from misleading or aggressive practices by landlords or agents.
Business Protection from Misleading Marketing Regulations 2008
Prevents landlords and agents from using misleading advertising practices.
2010s
Prohibits discrimination in housing, ensuring equal treatment for tenants.
Introduced protection against retaliatory evictions and updated Section 21 notice requirements.
Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2015
Reformed tenancy laws in Wales, simplifying the legal framework for renting homes.
Part 2: Protects tenants from unfair contract terms and ensures transparency in letting fees.
The Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015
Sets minimum energy efficiency standards for rented properties.
Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015
Requires landlords to install smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in rental properties.
Introduced a national database of rogue landlords and provided powers to issue banning orders.
Strengthened powers to prevent money laundering in property transactions.
Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018
Requires landlords to ensure rental properties are fit for human habitation.
Requires landlords and agents to handle tenants' personal data in compliance with data protection laws.
2020s
European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Act 2020
Manages the transition of UK law post-Brexit, affecting housing and consumer rights.
Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020
Mandates five-yearly electrical safety inspections for rental properties.
Imposes due diligence on letting agents handling high-value transactions.
Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing (Amendment) Regulations 2019
Updates and enhances money laundering prevention measures in the property sector.
Renters (Reform) Bill 2022 (Set aside)
Proposes to abolish Section 21 no-fault evictions and introduce new tenant protections.
Renters Rights Bill 2024 (In Progress)
A Bill to make provision changing the law about rented homes, including provision abolishing fixed term assured tenancies and assured shorthold tenancies; imposing obligations on landlords and others in relation to rented homes and temporary and supported accommodation; and for connected purposes.