Landlords to be banned from asking for several months rent upfront under Labour plans
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Under current rules landlords are able to request thousands of pounds in upfront rent payments, prompting concern that people will be forced to take on debt to secure a tenancy. Landlords will soon be banned from asking for several months’ worth of rent in advance as Labour adds more rules to its upcoming law for renters.
Advance payments will instead be capped at one months’ rent under the Renters’ Rights Bill to be voted on later this year. It is the latest slate of changes to the private rental sector in Britain that the government is planning. Under current rules, private landlords are able to request thousands of pounds in upfront rent payments, prompting concern that people will be forced to take on debt to secure a tenancy. The new legislation will still allow for one months’ rent to be requested in advance, and a deposit of up to six weeks’ rent.
The change was as an amendment to the bill by housing secretary Angela Rayner, who said: “We’re putting an end to renters being ripped off by outrageous upfront costs that leave them struggling to make ends meet or locked out of housing altogether.
“Our Renters’ Rights Bill will transform the rights of 11 million private tenants, ending rental bidding wars and abolishing ‘no fault’ eviction, making the system fairer and giving renters more security, stability and protections.”. However, landlords have reacted negatively to the changes, saying the policy will give them fewer avenues to ensure that prospective tenants are reliable and able to pay their rent.
