Tenants across the UK are being encouraged to challenge unfair rent increases as Labour's flagship housing legislation introduces stronger protections for millions of renters.
Resist Rent Rises Campaign Launches Free Tool
A coalition of tenants' unions has launched the 'Resist Rent Rises' campaign, providing a free online tool that allows renters to submit details about proposed rent hikes and receive advice on whether they can be contested. This initiative follows the passage of the government's Renters' Rights Act, which brings sweeping changes to the rental system, making it easier for tenants to challenge above-market rent increases at a tribunal.
Key Reforms Under the Renters' Rights Act
The most significant reform is the abolition of Section 21 'no-fault' eviction notices, which previously allowed landlords to evict tenants without providing a reason, with just two months' notice. Housing charities had warned that these notices were frequently used retaliatorily when tenants challenged rent increases, deterring many from seeking fairer terms. Additionally, under the new rules, tribunals can no longer increase the rent beyond the amount proposed by the landlord, removing another risk that previously discouraged challenges.
Financial Benefits of Challenging Rent Rises
Research from anti-poverty charity Z2K reveals that renters who challenge their rent increases are, on average, £1,140 per year better off than those who accept the hike. The study also found that in 71% of applications for 'market rent determinations', renters successfully secured a lower rent than originally proposed.
The Resist Rent Rises campaign, which includes the London, Greater Manchester, and Oxford Renters Unions, stated: "We need to use these rights or we lose them. Now that Section 21 'no-fault' evictions have been abolished, and other changes to Rent Tribunals better protect renters, all renters should be able to use rent tribunals to resist their rent rises and stay in their homes."
Rising Rents and Cost of Living Pressures
The campaign highlights that asking rents have surged by approximately 40% across the country since 2020, according to Rightmove data, while cost of living pressures have intensified across all sectors. Despite these challenges, the Renters' Rights Act does not introduce rent controls, a measure some campaigners had hoped for.
Housing minister Matthew Pennycook clarified the government's stance last month, stating: "We are not doing this. It's not a credible or serious policy proposition. I can't remember how many times I'm on record of saying this government has no intention, does not agree with rent controls, and there are really good reasons for that."
While Labour's reforms empower more renters to utilize tribunal powers and limit rent increases to once per year, the absence of rent caps remains a point of contention for advocacy groups. Nonetheless, the new tool and legal changes provide tenants with stronger grounds to resist excessive rent hikes.
