People in Central Bedfordshire invited to have a say on council's Renters' Rights Act policy
Private landlords, letting agents and tenants are being invited to have their say on the new Renters’ Rights Act which comes into effect on May 1.
The new act is designed to strengthen protection for tenants and ensure fair, consistent enforcement for landlords and letting agents.
The changes give local councils stronger powers to act against landlords who fail to follow the rules, helping ensure rented homes are safe, well-managed and fair for everyone.
To explain how these powers will be used Central Beds Council is running a four-week public consultation to gather feedback on whether the policy is clear and easy to understand.
The policy benefits tenants by:
Preventing unfair evictions
Banning discrimination in lettings
Stopping “rent bidding”
Improving safety, licensing and housing standards
Landlords will benefit from clearer guidance on their responsibilities and what the law requires, helping them comply with the rules and avoid penalties. The policy also recognises differences between small-scale and professional landlords, with penalties scaled appropriately for repeated or deliberate breaches.
Key changes include:
No-fault evictions are no longer allowed, with fines of up to £40,000 for serious breaches
Discrimination against tenants with children or those receiving benefits is now a punishable offence
Rent must be stated in adverts, and "rent bidding" is prohibited
Penalties will range from £7,000 for lower-level breaches to £40,000 for serious safety or legal offences
The consultation is open until Tuesday, March 31. Residents can take part by visiting its website or emailing [email protected].