New Renters Rights Act Boosts Tenant Protections

Wokingham Borough Council has updated policies to protect tenants as the Renters Rights Act 2025 is rolled out.

The Act bans 'no fault' evictions and gives councils powers to fine landlords who break the rules.

About 10,000 people in private rental homes across Wokingham, Woodley, Earley and growing areas such as Shinfield and Arborfield are affected.

The act's implementation was discussed at the council executive. Three councillors briefly recused themselves because they are landlords: council leader Stephen Conway (Liberal Democrats, Twyford, Ruscombe & Hurst), David Hare (Liberal Democrats, Hawkedon) and Lou Timlin, executive councillor for public protection. Their properties are redacted on the register of interests.

Welcoming the measures, cllr Timlin (Liberal Democrats, Evendons) explained:

"I had to declare an interest as I rent a property in Wokingham Borough.

"As a private landlord, I completely welcome the Renters Rights Act, its important we protect tenants. I don't think responsible landlords have anything to fear, they are abiding by the rules anyway

"Tenants do deserve safe and secure homes, and these reforms will go some way to bringing that about and deliver good standards for tenants.

"It does give us enforcement powers: the obvious application is for no fault evictions, which are now not allowed.

"If a tenant is threatened with one, the council will have the power to act on that, and there are other things that the council can act on if a tenant is concerned about violations of their rental agreements; they can get recourse through the council."

During the meeting, deputy leader Prue Bray (Liberal Democrats, Winnersh) said:

"The Renters Rights Act 2025 is intended to strengthen tenant protections and improve housing standards and create a more consistent and transparent private rented sector.

"We welcome these, which will help protect our private tenants in the borough.

"About 15 per cent of our 69,000 households are estimated to be privately rented, which is quite a proportion of our residents.

"National housing and advice charities have welcomed these reforms, and particularly they've welcomed the abolition of no fault evictions, the stronger safeguards against discrimination and retaliatory evictions and the improved routes for tenants to challenge poor conditions."

Council officers said the ability to fine landlords rather than pursue court action should allow quicker, more effective enforcement. Executive councillors unanimously agreed updated private housing enforcement and civil penalty policies at the meeting on 30 July.

James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter