Agenda item

Briefing Note of the Director of Law and Governance

The Board considered a briefing note and presentation from the Director of Law and Governance that provided an overview of the Renters Rights Act 2025.

The presentation given by officers covered the following information:

• Purpose of the Act
• Timeline of implementation
• Key Legislative Changes
• Enforcement and Investigatory Powers
• Implementation

Officers explained that the act was aimed at making renting properties secure, affordable and fair for both tenants and landlords. They outlined some of the key changes but emphasised that as this had not yet been introduced and all the details had not yet been announced they were limited in the breadth and depth they could give in their responses.

The policy was due to be implemented the 1^st May 2026 and once more information had been released, officers were willing to present any updates to councillors.

In considering the briefing note, the Board questioned officers, received responses, and discussed matters as summarised below:

• That although no rent could be paid in advance, this did not exclude the following month being paid at the end of the previous month.
• That many of the questions being raised by councillors for which officers could not yet answer had been raised during the passage of the legislation and were likely being considered before implementation.
• If a property is registered and rented it remains rented to the tenants until the contract ends, it is mutually agreed to end the contract early or section 8 grounds for eviction are met.
• That this was expected to provide benefits for vulnerable tenants and as this is an area the council already monitors, expanding their monitoring to work with new legislation should be manageable.
• That the council already regulates and enforces private rentals beyond statutory requirements therefore expanding this work to keep in line with the new regulation would be straightforward.
• That additional funding has been made available by the national government for this new enforcement and, part of this will help fund additional training for landlords, officers and tenants.
• That the council has begun considering how to prevent and mitigate any risks that may arise from the change in legislation, and that they are confident they can manage any legal disputes or issues with enforcement that may arise.
• This legislation will not impact existing legislation on what rent can be set at for any given property, although landlords will no longer be allowed to award properties to the highest bidder.
• That a security deposit now must be given and placed in the tenancy deposit scheme, rent cannot be taken in lieu.
• The council is preparing advice and literature explaining the new system, this will be given to relevant partners such as citizen advice.

RESOLVED that the Communities and Neighbourhoods Scrutiny Board (4):

1)  Noted the Briefing Note and the implications the upcoming legislation would have for the council.

2)  Recommend that the Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities to work in partnership with independent advice services, including Citizens Advice Bureau and the Coventry Law Centre as well as the Council's customer service advisors to ensure accurate and consistent advice and support is given to tenants and landlords on their rights and responsibilities under the new legislation.