Luke Pollard MP has welcomed the introduction of the biggest strengthening of renters’ rights in over 40 years as the Renters’ Rights Act came into force on the 1st of May 2026, describing it as a ‘long-overdue step towards a fairer, more compassionate private rented sector’.
The landmark legislation delivers a wide range of reforms designed to make renting fairer, safer, and more secure across Plymouth, where over a third of households rent.
The legislation includes a ban on Section 21 no-fault evictions meaning no tenant can be evicted for no reason, preventing families being pushed into homelessness and ending a cruel aspect of the former rental system.
The Act also limits rent increases to once per year, bans bidding wars for properties and introduces a cap of one month’s rent for upfront payments. These core changes will be instrumental in reducing the financial pressure on renters.
Alongside this, tenants will benefit from stronger protections against discrimination, including for those with children or in receipt of benefits, as well as providing greater flexibility to end tenancies early with two months’ notice.
It also gets rid of blanket bans on pets, as landlords can no longer deny tenants the right to keep a pet in their home. This can be the difference in a house becoming a home, and this change helps bring the rental sector in line with modern life.
The Act removes uncertainty felt by many tenants and will fundamentally reshape the experience of renting in Plymouth. Renters can feel more secure knowing that they won’t be wrongfully evicted, and will have a safe, decent quality home.
Across the private rented sector, these changes will also support responsible landlords, as well as protecting tenants, by driving up standards, boosting security, and encouraging longer tenancies.
Welcoming the news, Luke Pollard MP said:
“Many renters in Plymouth have felt hard done by in recent years. For too long, renters in Plymouth have been left without security and protections, often stuck in unacceptable conditions.
Nobody should have to live in fear of eviction, or in an unsafe property. While the vast majority of landlords act responsibly, the few that don’t have been letting down both tenants and the wider sector.
This is about restoring dignity and stability. Tenants deserve better, and this package of reforms gives renters what they have been missing for years.
I am proud to have voted for the largest package of renters’ rights in a generation, which will directly benefit over a third of households here in Plymouth. Whether it is affording to stay in your home or moving into your next one, this government has changed the law to be on your side.
I know that pets are family members. Nobody should be made to choose between their home or their beloved companions. Having a pet should not be a luxury reserved for owning your own home. These new rights put a stop to unfair policies which unnecessarily penalised renters.
Landlords will see the benefit of these reforms too. Giving tenants security in their homes and lowering financial burdens to renting will see them stay longer in their tenancies. This will provide stability for landlords while creating a more balanced and sustainable rental market.
These reforms mark a clear break from the failures of the past, and a significant step forward in delivering a fairer deal for renters here in Plymouth. Together, they will create a more secure, stable, and supportive rental market, strengthening communities and supporting local families.
Know that I will always stick up for renters in Plymouth. If you ever require any housing assistance, please feel free to contact me at [email protected].”.