Hackney is set to introduce fresh measures targeting unscrupulous property owners in the private rental sector. From May onwards, virtually all private landlords will need to secure a licence for each of their properties. The local authority will gain powers to carry out property inspections and address poor housing standards.

Mayor Caroline Woodley stated that after years of advocacy, introducing landlord licensing alongside the RentersRights Act represents a transformative development for private renters in the borough. She emphasised that the majority of landlords behave responsibly, and the council aims to expand its network of compliant property owners. However, she noted that numerous tenants have reported experiencing inadequate property management, discriminatory practices, and living conditions that fail to meet acceptable standards.

This newest legislation will work in conjunction with the Labour administration’s RentersRights Act, unveiled last year, which provides councils with heightened enforcement capabilities. For the gravest breaches committed by landlords, criminal proceedings and unlimited financial penalties will be pursued.

Additional government measures include the elimination of fixed-rate tenancy agreements, the removal of ‘no fault eviction’ provisions, and constraints on rental price increases.

Mayor Woodley commented that the measures outlined in the RentersRights Act represent a significant stride towards establishing fair conditions in a sector previously lacking proper regulation. She added that their implementation will abolish Section 21 ‘no fault evictions’, identified as the primary driver of homelessness, while equipping tenants with the ability to dispute unreasonable rent rises and halting covert eviction tactics.