Renters' Rights Act and foster carers

The Renters' Rights Act 2025 should provide increased security for foster carers by abolishing 'no-fault' evictions, moving towards a simpler tenancy structure, and introducing new measures to tackle landlord discrimination. Key changes also include making it easier for those leaving care to find housing by legally protecting them from discrimination, allowing landlords to evict tenants for reasons like repeated serious rent arrears or criminal behavior, and preventing landlords from using blanket bans on tenants receiving benefits or those with children.

What foster carers should know:

• Ending "no-fault" evictions: The act will abolish "no-fault" evictions, meaning landlords can't evict tenants without a good reason. This will provide greater security for foster carers during their tenancies.
• Simple tenancy structure: The bill will create a simpler tenancy structure where all assured tenancies will be periodic and will roll on a monthly basis, which should make tenancies more stable.
• Tackling discrimination: The act will make it illegal for landlords to discriminate against prospective tenants based on their care experience, benefit status or family situation. This will make it easier for care leavers to find safe and secure accommodation.
• Reasons for eviction: Landlords will be able to evict tenants for reasons such as serious anti-social behavior or persistent rent arrears. These reasons will be clearly defined in law, with tenants having a right to appeal the eviction in certain circumstances.
• Increased rent control: Landlords will be limited to increasing rent once per year, with at least two months' notice. Tenants will have the right to challenge what they consider to be unreasonable rent increases.
• Enhanced support: The bill provides for enhanced support for care leavers, such as rent deposit schemes and guarantor schemes, which will help care leavers access private rented accommodation.