Your tenancy is changing. New rights for renters in Hackney.
Major new rules are being introduced in Hackney to better protect renters and crack down on rogue landlords. From 1 May new Council landlord licensing measures will be introduced across almost all private rented homes in the borough. This comes alongside the government rules to bolster protections for private renters across the country.
The new licensing scheme coming into force in May, will require almost all private landlords in the borough to apply for a licence for each property they own, and will allow the Council to inspect homes and crack down on substandard and often dangerous conditions.
This is on top of new laws set out in the Renters Rights Act which will grant the Council stronger enforcement powers, including tougher fines for landlords of up to £7,000 for initial breaches, increasing up to £40,000 for more serious offences or even criminal prosecution and unlimited fines for the most serious cases.
These new laws include:
Abolish Section 21 ‘no fault evictions’
The Council has long campaigned for an end to Section 21 ‘no fault evictions’ and from May this year, it will be illegal for landlords to serve this notice.
Assured Periodic Tenancies
Tenancies will automatically become periodic and no longer fixed-term, meaning that tenants can end their tenancy with 2 months’ notice, and will no longer be locked into set time frames.
Fair possession grounds
Landlords can only evict tenants for valid reasons, including anti-social behaviour or serious rent arrears.
A limit to rent increases
Landlords can only raise rent once a year, with at least 2 months’ notice. Renters can challenge increases at a tribunal.
Ban on bidding wars
Landlords cannot ask for more than the advertised rent amount or more than one month’s rent upfront.
Anti-discrimination
Landlords cannot discriminate against tenants with children or tenants who receive housing benefit.
Pet-friendly
Every tenant has the right to request a pet, which the landlord cannot unreasonably refuse.
From May, all HMOs in Hackney made up of three or more people from two or more households, will need to have a licence. This expands on the existing mandatory licences across all of the UK for five or more people making up two or more households. A selective licensing scheme has also been introduced for almost all private rented homes in 17 of the 21 wards in Hackney - 76% of privately rented homes - meaning those homes will need a licence regardless of the number of tenants. The remaining four wards will be covered by additional licensing.
Should monitoring and inspections find substandard conditions, the Council will work with the landlord to resolve them, but those who fail to meet their obligations or put tenants at risk could face unlimited fines.
Licence applications are now open and to find out more or apply, visit hackney.gov.uk/property-licensing.
Caroline Woodley, Mayor of Hackney, said ‘’After years of campaigning, the introduction of landlord licensing alongside the Renters Rights Act is the game-changer our private renters deserve.
‘’Most landlords do the right thing, and we want to build our network of responsible landlords in Hackney. But we’ve also heard from too many renters who face poor property management, unfair treatment and unacceptable conditions. Our new licensing measures will allow us to inspect nearly all rental properties, cracking down on substandard housing and rogue landlords.
‘’The new laws set out in the Renters Rights Act are a huge step toward creating a level playing field in a previously unregulated sector. Their introduction puts an end to Section 21 'no fault evictions,' which is the leading cause of homelessness, and empowers renters to challenge unfair rental increases – putting an end to backdoor evictions.”