Whether you own a single buy-to-let in Cheshunt or a large portfolio across Hertfordshire, these changes will affect your responsibilities, tenant interactions, and financial returns.
As Cheshunt’s trusted estate agency, Woodhouse Property Consultants, we are here to help landlords stay compliant and maximise rental income. Here’s a breakdown of the 12 key changes and how they could impact you.
1. Landlords in Cheshunt Must Register on a National Database
Unlike Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, England currently does not require landlords to register, but this will change. The Private Rented Sector Database will:
- Help landlords stay compliant with legal updates
- Allow tenants to check landlord records, including penalties
- Enable local councils to track rental properties and enforce regulations
All landlords will be legally required to register themselves and their properties.
For landlords in Cheshunt, this means increased scrutiny by local authorities, so ensuring full compliance is crucial.
2. Mandatory Membership of a Landlord Ombudsman
Currently, letting agents must belong to a redress scheme, but landlords are not required to do so. Under the Bill, a Private Rented Sector Landlord Ombudsman will:
- Give tenants a formal complaints process
- Help landlords resolve disputes before they escalate
- Offer legally binding resolutions for both parties
Even landlords using an agent in Cheshunt must register.
3. A New 'Decent Homes Standard' for Cheshunt Rentals
Landlords already have a legal duty to maintain properties under the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018. However, the Decent Homes Standard will introduce:
- Stricter property condition requirements
- Stronger enforcement against landlords failing to maintain homes
- Higher penalties for non-compliance
Cheshunt is a high-demand rental area, and ensuring properties meet new legal standards will be essential for avoiding penalties.
4. Banning Discrimination Against Tenants on Benefits or with Children
Under the Bill, landlords in Cheshunt will no longer be able to:
- Refuse applications from tenants on housing benefits
- Automatically reject families with children
Although indirect discrimination is already illegal, the Bill explicitly bans these practices, ensuring all tenants are treated fairly.
5. Bidding Wars on Rent Prices Will Be Banned
With Cheshunt’s rising rental demand, bidding wars have become common. The Bill will:
- Ban bidding wars between tenants
- Make it illegal to accept above-asking-price offers
- Require landlords and agents to advertise a fixed rent
This means landlords must price properties correctly from the start—Woodhouse Property Consultants can help you set the right rent for the Cheshunt market.
6. Landlords Cannot Unreasonably Refuse Pets
Currently, landlords can outright refuse pets. Under the Bill:
- Tenants will have the legal right to request a pet
- Landlords can only refuse with valid reasons (e.g., lease restrictions)
- Landlords can require pet insurance to cover potential damage
For Cheshunt landlords, this could increase property appeal as many renters prefer pet-friendly homes.
7. No More Fixed-Term Tenancies – All Tenancies Become Periodic
The Bill will abolish Assured Shorthold Tenancies (ASTs), making all tenancies periodic by default, meaning:
- No more fixed-term contracts (e.g., 6 or 12 months)
- Tenants can give 2 months’ notice at any time
- Landlords can only require 1 month’s rent upfront
This change could impact landlord cash flow, making it essential to secure reliable tenants—Woodhouse Property Consultants can help.
8. 'Awaab’s Law' – Faster Repairs for Health Hazards
Named after Awaab Ishak, a child who tragically died due to mould exposure, the Bill introduces:
- Faster repair deadlines for serious health hazards
- Stronger enforcement powers for councils
- Increased penalties for landlords who fail to act
Landlords in Cheshunt should review their property maintenance procedures to avoid fines and disputes.
9. Rent Increases Will Be Limited to Once Per Year
Under the new rules:
- Rent increase clauses will be banned in tenancy agreements
- Landlords can only increase rent once per year
- Stronger rights for tenants to challenge unfair rent rises
Rent increases must align with local market conditions—Woodhouse Property Consultants can assist landlords in pricing rentals competitively in Cheshunt.
10. Tenants Can Challenge Rent Increases They Believe Are Unfair
How Rent Challenges Work:
- Landlords must give 2 months’ notice before raising rent
- Tenants can challenge the increase if they believe it’s excessive
- The appeal goes to the First-tier Tribunal, which assesses market rents
- If the rent is deemed above market rate, it is reduced
- The Tribunal cannot increase the rent beyond the landlord’s request
Ensuring rent adjustments align with Cheshunt’s market rates will be key—Woodhouse Property Consultants can provide local rent valuation services.
11. Higher Penalties for Landlords Who Break the Rules
- Maximum fines increasing from £30,000 to £40,000
- New £7,000 penalties for failing to maintain homes
- Councils can now issue penalties for illegal evictions
Cheshunt landlords must stay compliant to avoid these increased fines.
12. Section 21 ‘No-Fault’ Evictions Will Be Abolished
- Section 21 evictions will be scrapped
- Landlords must use valid Section 8 grounds to evict
- Evictions will require court hearings if contested
Landlords should review tenancy agreements to ensure compliance.
What Should Cheshunt Landlords Do Next?
These changes represent the biggest shift in rental legislation in decades. If you own rental property in Cheshunt, it’s crucial to act now to stay compliant and protect your investments.
At Woodhouse Property Consultants, we can help you:
- Review your rental agreements for compliance
- Optimise your rent pricing strategy
- Ensure your properties meet new legal standards
Contact us today for a free rent review and compliance check.
Final Thoughts
The Renters' Rights Bill is bringing major changes for landlords in Cheshunt. Are you prepared?
