Southampton MPs have today hailed a landmark moment for renters in the city as new rights for tenants come into force.
Satvir Kaur, MP for Southampton Test, and Darren Paffey, MP for Southampton Itchen, are encouraging the thousands of renters in the city to make sure that they are aware of their new rights as a result of the government’s Renters Rights Act.
Under the new laws that come into force today:
- Landlords will no longer be able to make evictions for no reason with a Section 21 notice, putting an end to revenge evictions for tenants who make legitimate requests for repairs or complaints about conditions.
- Tenants cannot be made to pay rent more than one month in advance
- Landlords can only put the rent up once a year and they must give at least two months’ notice. Tenants will also be able to go to a rent tribunal if they think the rent is too much.
- It will be illegal to refuse tenants just because they receive benefits or have kids.
Councils are also being given new powers to crack down on rogue landlords. Landlords will still be able to get their properties back for clear and justifiable reasons – like selling up, moving in, or dealing with rent arrears and antisocial behaviour.
Satvir Kaur, MP for Southampton Test, said:
“Everyone deserves to live in a safe and secure home yet, in Southampton, insecure tenancies have been the number one contributor to homelessness in our city. We’ve had families living in the most horrendous and, at times, dangerous conditions and they’ve been forced to put up with it. Not anymore!
It’s why legislation like this matters, and why I’ve been fighting for it for years, first as a councillor and now as an MP. It means real rights and protections for thousands in our city. It means safer homes, more security where you live, a place to raise your family, and confidence to lay down your roots. This is what change looks like, and I’m proud to be part of delivering it locally and nationally.”
Darren Paffey, MP for Southampton Itchen, said:
“This is a huge day for the tens of thousands of renters and tenants in Southampton. I’ve spoken to too many families who have faced insecurity, sudden evictions and poor housing. And at my surgeries and on doorsteps, renters in Southampton tell me that they feel that the scales have been tipped against them. That changes from today.
“I’m really proud to have helped bring in this fairer deal for renters and landlords in Southampton and I would encourage everyone to make sure that they are aware of their new rights and responsibilities from today.
The government has published information sheets for tenants and landlords. Under the new laws, landlords in Southampton will be required to provide the government’s information sheet to tenants by 31 May or risk a £7,000 fine.