Louise Haigh MP welcomes landmark legislation to protect the rights of renters across the country

Louise Haigh MP has welcomed the passing of the Renters Rights Bill through Parliament, a watershed moment in the protection and security of 11 million private renters across the country. The Bill will make drastic changes to the law to provide stability to private renters and overhaul the current private rented sector.

The passing of the Bill follows the Government’s manifesto commitment to transform the experience of private renting and delivers on the promise to make a difference to the lives of millions.

In Sheffield Heeley, this will directly change the lives of private renters that have felt the burden of rent hikes, disrepair, and the threat of eviction. For years, Louise has heard from constituents who have lived in unstable and poor conditions at the mercy of their landlords.

The bill includes a raft of measures to boost renters’ rights, including the abolition Section 21 no fault evictions, applying Awaab’s Law to the sector, introducing a Decent Homes Standard and ensuring landlords do not unreasonably withhold consent when a tenant requests to have a pet in their home. Additionally, the Bill will also introduce a Private Sector Ombudsman Service which all landlords will be required to join by law, enabling tenants to escalate their concerns so they can have a second opinion.

Louise Haigh, MP for Sheffield Heeley, said:

“For too long, private renters across the country have faced uncertainty and financial hardship, unable to afford extortionate costs and at the mercy of an unregulated rental sector where any misstep could result in eviction.

“This Bill is a landmark moment in transforming our private rented sector and will transform many people’s lives who live in insecure or unfit homes who will now have greater protections and a voice to challenge this.

“This is the kind of change people voted for and I’m proud that this Government has delivered such a transformative piece of legislation.”