{"id":475527,"date":"2026-03-28T14:17:20","date_gmt":"2026-03-28T14:17:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/?p=475527"},"modified":"2026-03-28T14:17:22","modified_gmt":"2026-03-28T14:17:22","slug":"lack-of-awareness-around-renters-rights-reforms-could-undermine-new-law","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/area\/london\/lack-of-awareness-around-renters-rights-reforms-could-undermine-new-law\/","title":{"rendered":"Lack of awareness around Renters\u2019 Rights reforms could undermine new law"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-white-color has-vivid-red-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-82a024a2da98775e7e59fa3f9b178151\"><strong>Biggest Changes in the Renters\u2019 Rights Act<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size\">1) Banning no-fault (Section 21) Evictions<\/p><script type=\"text\/plain\" data-tcf=\"waiting-for-consent\" data-id=\"69959\" data-bid=\"1\" data-placement=\"448384\" data-no-track=\"impressions\">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<\/script>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size\">2) Outlawing bidding wars<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size\">3) Ending fixed-term tenancies<\/p><script type=\"text\/plain\" data-tcf=\"waiting-for-consent\" data-id=\"68153\" data-bid=\"1\" data-placement=\"448385\" data-no-track=\"impressions\">PGRpdiBpZD0ic291dGgtMzA1MzQzNTk5OSIgY2xhc3M9InNvdXRoLWNvbnRlbnQgc291dGgtZW50aXR5LXBsYWNlbWVudCIgc3R5bGU9Im1hcmdpbi1sZWZ0OiBhdXRvO21hcmdpbi1yaWdodDogYXV0bzt0ZXh0LWFsaWduOiBjZW50ZXI7Ij48IS0tICAvMTU0NzI1MDcwLDIyNjk0MTk2OTY5L3NvdXRod2Fya25ld3Mvc291dGh3YXJrbmV3cyAtLT4NCjxkaXYgaWQ9ImRpdi1ncHQtYWQtMngxIj4NCjxzY3JpcHQ+DQpnb29nbGV0YWcuY21kLnB1c2goZnVuY3Rpb24oKSB7IGdvb2dsZXRhZy5kaXNwbGF5KCdkaXYtZ3B0LWFkLTJ4MScpOyB9KTsNCjwvc2NyaXB0Pg0KPC9kaXY+ICAgICAgICAgIDwvZGl2Pg==<\/script>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size\">4) Right to (reasonably) request a pet<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size\">5) Extension of Awaab\u2019s Law \u2013 putting struct legal timeframes on private landlords to fix damp and mould<\/p><script type=\"text\/plain\" data-tcf=\"waiting-for-consent\" data-id=\"71156\" data-bid=\"1\" data-placement=\"448386\" data-no-track=\"impressions\">PGRpdiBpZD0ic291dGgtMzQ1MTM5MTM3NSIgY2xhc3M9InNvdXRoLWluLWFydGljbGUtbXB1OSBzb3V0aC1lbnRpdHktcGxhY2VtZW50Ij48IS0tICAvMTU0NzI1MDcwLDIyNjk0MTk2OTY5L3NvdXRod2Fya25ld3Mvc291dGh3YXJrbmV3cyAtLT4NCjxkaXYgaWQ9ImRpdi1ncHQtYWQtbXB1OSI+DQo8c2NyaXB0Pg0KZ29vZ2xldGFnLmNtZC5wdXNoKGZ1bmN0aW9uKCkgeyBnb29nbGV0YWcuZGlzcGxheSgnZGl2LWdwdC1hZC1tcHU5Jyk7IH0pOw0KPC9zY3JpcHQ+DQo8L2Rpdj4gICAgIDwvZGl2Pg==<\/script>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>Low awareness in London of new renters\u2019 rights legislation could undermine major new reforms set to come into force in May, ministers have been warned.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Just 35 per cent of the almost three million renters in London have heard of the Renters\u2019 Rights Act (RRA), which received Royal Assent last October. Changes set to come into force on May 1 include abolishing Section 21 \u2018no-fault\u2019 evictions, the end of fixed term tenancies, and bans on rental bidding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-southwark-news wp-block-embed-southwark-news\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<span class=\"M8GjNZXxOphEbkTy6FLn\"><blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"PBQ6d61y0q\"><a href=\"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/news\/news-plus\/the-numbers-dont-add-up-anymore-what-the-renters-reform-bill-means-for-landlords-and-tenants\/\">&#8216;The numbers don&#8217;t add up anymore&#8217;: What the Renters&#8217; Reform Bill means for landlords and tenants<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; visibility: hidden;\" title=\"&#8220;&#8216;The numbers don&#8217;t add up anymore&#8217;: What the Renters&#8217; Reform Bill means for landlords and tenants&#8221; &#8212; Southwark News\" src=\"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/news\/news-plus\/the-numbers-dont-add-up-anymore-what-the-renters-reform-bill-means-for-landlords-and-tenants\/embed\/#?secret=Sh0y2UpKjP#?secret=PBQ6d61y0q\" data-secret=\"PBQ6d61y0q\" width=\"500\" height=\"282\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>However, the London Assembly Housing Committee has now warned that the majority of renters won\u2019t even know about their new rights and powers, meaning non-compliant landlords could still take advantage of them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>During a session in City Hall, Dr Jennifer Harris of the TDS (Tenancy Deposit Scheme) Group, said that reforms in Scotland implemented almost a decade ago have been \u201cseverely undermined by lack of awareness\u201d.<\/p><script type=\"text\/plain\" data-tcf=\"waiting-for-consent\" data-id=\"71157\" data-bid=\"1\" data-placement=\"448387\" data-no-track=\"impressions\">PGRpdiBpZD0ic291dGgtMTQwODI0MTE5MCIgY2xhc3M9InNvdXRoLWluLWFydGljbGUtbXB1LTEwIHNvdXRoLWVudGl0eS1wbGFjZW1lbnQiPjwhLS0gIC8xNTQ3MjUwNzAsMjI2OTQxOTY5Njkvc291dGh3YXJrbmV3cy9zb3V0aHdhcmtuZXdzIC0tPg0KPGRpdiBpZD0iZGl2LWdwdC1hZC1tcHUxMCI+DQo8c2NyaXB0Pg0KZ29vZ2xldGFnLmNtZC5wdXNoKGZ1bmN0aW9uKCkgeyBnb29nbGV0YWcuZGlzcGxheSgnZGl2LWdwdC1hZC1tcHUxMCcpOyB9KTsNCjwvc2NyaXB0Pg0KPC9kaXY+ICAgICA8L2Rpdj4=<\/script>\n\n\n\n<p>In a letter to the Mayor of London, sent on Thursday, March 19, committee chair Zoe Garbett noted that even when renters do understand the law, 40 per cent aren\u2019t confident enough to take action against their landlord, according to recent polling from Generation Rent.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"995\" height=\"560\" src=\"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Zoe-Garbett-995x560.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-401115\" srcset=\"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Zoe-Garbett-995x560.jpg 995w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Zoe-Garbett-498x280.jpg 498w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Zoe-Garbett-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Zoe-Garbett-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Zoe-Garbett-260x146.jpg 260w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Zoe-Garbett-1320x743.jpg 1320w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Zoe-Garbett-750x422.jpg 750w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Zoe-Garbett-1140x642.jpg 1140w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Zoe-Garbett.jpg 1624w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 995px) 100vw, 995px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Zoe Garbett, a Green member of the London Assembly. Credit: London Assembly<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>She called on the Mayor to commit to raising awareness of the Act through his own digital platforms \u2013 he has almost three million followers on X, formerly known as Twitter \u2013 as well as advertising across the Transport for London (TfL) network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>During the committee\u2019s call for evidence, the TDS Charitable Foundation highlighted that 90 per cent of London tenants expressed a desire for more information about how the Act affects them, which is higher than the national average of 82 per cent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The letter also outlined demands to make sure such information is timed with the government\u2019s own awareness campaign, set to launch in April, and that it is \u201caccessible, multilingual, and designed to engage London\u2019s diverse renter population\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ms Garbett added: \u201cThe Renters\u2019 Rights Act will introduce major changes to renting, but these reforms will only work if renters know about them and feel confident exercising their rights when faced with unlawful behaviour from non-compliant landlords.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cOur investigation found awareness of the new law is worryingly low. Without clear information and support, many renters simply won\u2019t benefit from the protections the Act is meant to deliver. The Mayor has the reach to ensure Londoners understand these new rights before the law comes into force.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A spokesperson for the Mayor of London told the LDRS: \u201cTackling the housing crisis is a top priority for the Mayor and he continues to do everything possible to deliver more affordable, quality homes of all tenures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cMuch of the Renters\u2019 Rights Act builds on the London model for renting and the positive work the Mayor has done alongside campaigners. The Mayor is dedicated to making sure renters know their rights, and will be communicating widely to make sure that they do so. Sadiq is also using his record \u00a311.7 billion Social and Affordable Homes Programme to back new rent control homes, linked to the incomes of key workers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe Mayor has consistently called for the devolution of rent controls \u2013 which would enable us to develop a system that works for London and the unique challenges facing the capital, including affordability and supply \u2013 as we work to build a better, fairer London for everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), the department responsible for the legislation, did not respond to multiple requests for comment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-southwark-news wp-block-embed-southwark-news\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<span class=\"Mskh9gOVEnoiFicQ9qvbLNFuufqx6AZhzYULOkyspImSeG0RMTyjT56BaC2veljDrHlZp3KDoU3r4\"><blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"FPdekYSLvf\"><a href=\"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/area\/london\/renters-rights-act-will-be-significant-for-millions-of-londoners-but-only-if-local-councils-properly-enforce-it\/\">Renter\u2019s Rights Act will be \u201csignificant\u201d for millions of Londoners \u2013 but only if local councils properly enforce it<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; visibility: hidden;\" title=\"&#8220;Renter\u2019s Rights Act will be \u201csignificant\u201d for millions of Londoners \u2013 but only if local councils properly enforce it&#8221; &#8212; Southwark News\" src=\"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/area\/london\/renters-rights-act-will-be-significant-for-millions-of-londoners-but-only-if-local-councils-properly-enforce-it\/embed\/#?secret=T2MvexIb5P#?secret=FPdekYSLvf\" data-secret=\"FPdekYSLvf\" width=\"500\" height=\"282\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Biggest Changes in the Renters\u2019 Rights Act 1) Banning no-fault (Section 21) Evictions 2) Outlawing bidding wars 3) Ending fixed-term tenancies 4) Right to (reasonably) request a pet 5) Extension of Awaab\u2019s Law \u2013 putting struct legal timeframes on private landlords to fix damp and mould Low awareness in London of new renters\u2019 rights legislation [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19652,"featured_media":434599,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":{"format":"standard","override":[{"template":"1","parallax":"1","fullscreen":"1","layout":"right-sidebar","sidebar":"default-sidebar","second_sidebar":"default-sidebar","sticky_sidebar":"1","share_position":"top","share_float_style":"share-monocrhome","show_share_counter":"1","show_view_counter":"1","show_featured":"1","show_post_meta":"1","show_post_author":"1","show_post_author_image":"1","show_post_date":"1","post_date_format":"default","post_date_format_custom":"Y\/m\/d","show_post_category":"1","show_post_reading_time":"0","post_reading_time_wpm":"300","post_calculate_word_method":"str_word_count","show_zoom_button":"0","zoom_button_out_step":"2","zoom_button_in_step":"3","show_post_tag":"1","show_prev_next_post":"1","show_popup_post":"1","show_comment_section":"1","number_popup_post":"1","show_author_box":"1","show_inline_post_related":"1"}],"image_override":[{"single_post_thumbnail_size":"crop-500","single_post_gallery_size":"crop-500"}],"trending_post_position":"meta","trending_post_label":"Trending","sponsored_post_label":"Sponsored by","disable_ad":"0","subtitle":"Just 35 per cent of the almost three million renters in London have heard of the Renters\u2019 Rights Act"},"jnews_primary_category":{"id":"800"},"jnews_social_meta":[],"jnews_override_counter":{"view_counter_number":"0","share_counter_number":"0","like_counter_number":"0","dislike_counter_number":"0"},"footnotes":""},"categories":[13549,800,13602,13543],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-475527","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-housing","category-london","category-news","category-politics"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/475527","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/19652"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=475527"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/475527\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":475528,"href":"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/475527\/revisions\/475528"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/434599"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=475527"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=475527"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=475527"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}