England's Renters' Rights Act Ends No‑Fault Evictions and Raises Landlord Obligations

The Renters' Rights Act, which came into force in England, abolishes the Section 21 "no‑fault" eviction process and replaces fixed‑term assured shorthold tenancies with periodic assured tenancies. Landlords can now regain possession only on specific statutory grounds such as rent arrears, antisocial behaviour, or when the property is needed for personal use. The new framework demands higher professional standards, including thorough record‑keeping of tenancy agreements, safety certificates, inspection reports and tenant communications. Many advisers recommend that landlords adopt specialist insurance products, such as legal expenses cover and rent‑guarantee policies, to protect against disputes and loss of rent. The reforms aim to improve tenant security while positioning landlords as regulated housing businesses rather than casual private owners, requiring audit trails and evidence‑based decision‑making throughout the tenancy.