West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker has issued a stark warning to rogue landlords: comply with new rental laws or face severe penalties.
From 1 May next year, Section 21 ‘no-fault’ eviction notices will be banned under the landmark Renters’ Rights Act, marking the biggest shake-up of the private rental sector in a generation.
The Act introduces sweeping reforms aimed at protecting tenants and creating a fairer system for landlords. Key changes include:
- Ban on no-fault evictions
- Limits on rent increases (no more than once per year)
- End of fixed-term tenancy contracts
- Prohibition of rental bidding wars
- Ban on discrimination against tenants with children or benefits
The Mayor welcomed the new laws, pledging that the West Midlands will be proactive in enforcing them to improve housing standards and protect renters from homelessness. He urged responsible landlords to prepare for the changes now.
Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said:
“Everyone deserves a safe, secure and decent home – it’s a fundamental right, and essential for people’s wellbeing and their ability to get on in life.
“While many landlords do right by their tenants, there are others that don’t, leaving young children in damp, unhealthy homes, and their parents living in fear of losing their home through no fault of their own.
“We must keep driving up the standard of private rental accommodation in our region and protect vulnerable people and families.
“That’s why I will be working with our local councils in using these new laws to support fair-minded landlords so they are ready for 1 May, but also crackdown on those rogue landlords who have blighted too many lives for far too long.”
Local councils will oversee compliance, backed by tougher enforcement powers and support from the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA). Penalties include fines of up to £7,000 for breaches, rising to £40,000 for repeat or serious offences, alongside rent repayment orders for tenants.
The Act also introduces new protections later in the year, including a Landlord Ombudsman to resolve disputes and a mandatory landlord database for transparency. A consultation will explore extending Awaab’s Law – tackling damp and mould – to the private sector.
With 225,000 privately rented homes in the West Midlands, a quarter failing to meet minimum standards, these reforms aim to raise decency and safety across the region. Tenants will also gain rights to challenge excessive rent hikes and request pets in rental homes.
Image credit: iStock
