Louise Haigh MP Fighting for Sheffield's future

Renters across Sheffield will be saved from forking out thousands of pounds in rent upfront thanks to new plans introduced to Parliament by the government.
Currently, there is no limit to how many months rent landlords can require tenants to pay upfront to secure a property. This loophole – coupled with high demand for rental properties – has resulted in some landlords forcing tenants to pay extortionate sums of money upfront, in the form of several months’ rent, before securing a tenancy.
Deposit Protection Scheme data shows that, between May and December last year, 1-in-8 surveyed landlords asked for between four and six months’ rent upfront for one of their rental properties.
Under new measures introduced as part of the Renters’ Rights Bill, the amount of rent landlords can demand in advance will be limited to a maximum of one month’s rent.
The bill also includes a raft of measures to boost renters’ rights, abolish no fault evictions, apply Awaab’s Law to the sector and ensure landlords do not unreasonably withhold consent when a tenant requests to have a pet in their home.
These actions stand in stark contrast to the previous Conservative government who shelved plans to boost renters’ rights, leaving households exposed to spiralling costs and poor housing.
Louise Haigh Local MP for Sheffield Heeley
“For far too long, renters across Sheffield Heeley have faced the impossible task of scraping together thousands of pounds upfront just to secure a roof over their heads. This crushing burden has forced many into debt, left families struggling to cover essential living costs, and locked countless people out of the rental market altogether.
“I’ve worked closely with residents facing these challenges, helping them navigate unfair practices and fight for their rights as tenants. Recently, I’ve supported constituents who were unable to move from their council homes to the private rented sector because of these extortionate upfront costs. In some cases, the council has had to step in to provide financial aid—a situation that is both unsustainable and unjust.
“This is simply not right. Upfront rental costs should never be a barrier to accessing a safe and secure home, and today’s announcement will put an end to this unnecessary and cruel practice.”