Renters Rights Act 2024: What Birmingham Landlords Need to Know

The Renters Rights Act 2024 represents the most significant overhaul of rental legislation in a generation. For Birmingham landlords, understanding these changes is crucial to maintaining compliant, profitable rental properties. Three2Six Real Estate Agents breaks down what you need to know and how we're supporting landlords through this transition.

What Is the Renters Rights Act 2024?

The Renters Rights Act, which received Royal Assent in 2024, introduces sweeping reforms designed to provide greater security for tenants while maintaining a fair, functional rental market. The legislation affects every aspect of the landlord-tenant relationship, from tenancy agreements to eviction procedures.

Key Implementation Timeline:

• Phase 1: Core provisions including Section 21 abolition (expected 2025)

• Phase 2: Additional protections and enforcement measures (rolling implementation through 2025-2026)

Birmingham landlords should prepare now, even before full implementation, to ensure seamless compliance.

Abolition of Section 21 'No-Fault' Evictions

The Biggest Change for Landlords

Section 21 notices, which allowed landlords to evict tenants without providing a reason after the fixed term, will be abolished. This fundamentally changes how tenancies end in England.

What This Means:

• All evictions must be based on specific grounds outlined in the Act

• Landlords need valid reasons to regain possession

• Greater emphasis on proper documentation and compliance

Available Grounds for Possession:

• Rent arrears (typically 2+ months)

• Antisocial behaviour or criminal activity

• Landlord wishes to sell the property

• Landlord or family member needs to move in

• Breach of tenancy agreement

• Property redevelopment

Three2Six's Approach: Our property management team ensures meticulous record-keeping from day one. We document all communications, conduct regular inspections, and maintain compliance records—essential foundations if possession proceedings become necessary.

End of Fixed-Term Tenancies

Transition to Periodic Tenancies

All new tenancies will be periodic (rolling) from the outset, with no fixed-term contracts. Tenants can end tenancies with two months' notice at any time.

Landlord Implications:

• Greater flexibility for tenants to leave

• Increased importance of tenant retention strategies

• Need for competitive rental pricing and excellent property standards

• Potential for more frequent tenant turnover

How Three2Six Helps: We focus on tenant satisfaction and property quality to maximize retention. Our 24/7 maintenance support, professional property management, and responsive communication keep tenants happy and reduce turnover—protecting your rental income.

Rent Increase Restrictions

New Rules on Rental Price Changes

Landlords can only increase rent once per year, and tenants gain new rights to challenge increases they believe are above market rate.

Key Points:

• Annual rent reviews permitted

• Formal notice required (typically 2 months)

• Tenants can challenge "unreasonable" increases at tribunal

• Market evidence required to justify increases

Three2Six's Strategy: We conduct quarterly market analysis to ensure your rental pricing remains competitive yet fair. Our approach: strategic annual reviews based on solid market data, reducing the risk of tribunal challenges while maximizing your returns.

Enhanced Property Standards and Compliance

Awaab's Law and Decent Homes Standard

The Act introduces stricter property condition requirements, including mandatory timeframes for addressing health hazards like damp and mould.

New Requirements:

• Faster response times for hazard repairs (14-day maximum for serious issues)

• Proactive maintenance obligations

• Enhanced energy efficiency standards (EPC requirements)

• Regular electrical and gas safety checks

Birmingham-Specific Considerations: Many Birmingham properties, particularly older conversions in areas like Jewellery Quarter, require proactive maintenance strategies. Our established contractor network (since 2008) ensures rapid response to maintenance issues.

Three2Six's Compliance Support:

• Gas safety certificates managed annually

• Electrical inspections (EICR) every 5 years

• EPC certificates obtained and monitored

• Selective licensing compliance (where applicable)

• Quarterly property inspections

• 24/7 maintenance coordination

Discrimination and Tenant Selection

Fair Access to Rental Properties

The Act prohibits blanket policies that discriminate against tenants receiving benefits or those with children.

What's Changing:

• Cannot refuse tenants solely because they receive Universal Credit or Housing Benefit

• Cannot impose blanket bans on families with children

• Must assess each application on individual merit

• Referencing must be fair and transparent

Three2Six's Approach: We've always conducted thorough, fair tenant referencing based on individual circumstances:

• Employment verification and income assessment

• Previous landlord references

• Credit and CCJ checks

• Right to rent verification

• Affordability calculations (typically 2.5x monthly rent as annual income)

Our process ensures you get reliable tenants while remaining compliant with anti-discrimination provisions.

Stronger Enforcement and Penalties

The Private Rented Sector Database and Ombudsman

Landlords must register with a new national database and join an approved ombudsman scheme.

New Requirements:

• Mandatory registration on PRS Database

• Ombudsman membership for dispute resolution

• Potential fines for non-compliance (up to £7,000)

• Enhanced local authority enforcement powers

Three2Six's Support: As your managing agent, we'll handle registration requirements on your behalf, ensuring you're compliant with all new administrative obligations. Our comprehensive management service (10% monthly fee) includes regulatory compliance monitoring.

Pet-Friendly Rental Policies

Reasonable Requests Cannot Be Automatically Refused

Landlords must consider pet requests reasonably and cannot impose blanket "no pets" policies.

What This Means:

• Tenants can request to keep pets

• Landlords can only refuse with good reason (property unsuitability, lease restrictions)

• Pet damage insurance can be required

• Additional pet deposits are not permitted (5-week deposit cap remains)

Practical Approach: Three2Six recommends case-by-case assessment:

• Property suitability (garden access, size, flooring type)

• Pet type and size

• Tenant's pet ownership history

• Professional pet reference or insurance

We help you balance tenant demand for pet-friendly properties with protecting your investment.

What Birmingham Landlords Should Do Now

Preparation Checklist:

1. Review Your Current Tenancies

   • Identify fixed-term agreements approaching renewal

   • Plan transition to periodic tenancies

   • Review rent levels against current market rates

2. Audit Property Compliance

   • Gas safety certificates current?

   • EICR completed within last 5 years?

   • EPC rating acceptable (minimum E rating)?

   • Property meets decent homes standard?

3. Update Tenancy Agreements

   • Ensure agreements reflect new legislation

   • Remove any discriminatory clauses

   • Clarify grounds for possession

4. Improve Record-Keeping

   • Document all tenant communications

   • Maintain detailed maintenance records

   • Keep evidence of compliance checks

   • Photograph property condition regularly

5. Consider Professional Management

   • Compliance complexity increasing

   • Professional agents stay current with legislation

   • Reduces personal liability and stress

How Three2Six Ensures Your Compliance

Comprehensive Landlord Protection

Our property management service is designed for the new regulatory environment:

Compliance Management:

• All certificates tracked and renewed proactively

• Quarterly inspections with detailed reports

• Maintenance issues resolved within statutory timeframes

• Complete audit trail of all property activities

Tenant Relations:

• Professional, documented communication

• Fair, transparent tenant selection

• Proactive tenancy management to prevent issues

• 24/7 emergency support reducing tenant complaints

Legal Protection:

• Up-to-date tenancy agreements

• Expert advice on possession proceedings if needed

• Ombudsman and database registration support

• Regulatory change monitoring and implementation

Financial Management:

• Market-informed rent reviews

• Transparent accounting via mobile app

• Deposit protection scheme compliance

• Rent collection and arrears management

The Three2Six Advantage in the New Landscape

17 Years of Birmingham Market Expertise

Regulatory complexity makes professional property management more valuable than ever. Three2Six offers:

• Local Knowledge: Deep understanding of Birmingham property standards and tenant expectations

• Established Systems: Proven compliance tracking and maintenance coordination

• Contractor Network: Rapid response to meet new repair timeframes

• Technology: Mobile app providing real-time transparency for landlords

• Peace of Mind: We handle the complexity; you enjoy the returns

Competitive, Transparent Pricing:

• 10% monthly management fee

• Zero setup costs for new Birmingham landlords (limited time)

• No hidden fees

• All compliance services included

Looking Ahead: The Future of Birmingham Rentals

Adapting to the New Normal

While the Renters Rights Act introduces challenges, it also creates opportunities for professional landlords who prioritize quality and compliance.

Market Predictions:

• Flight of amateur landlords unable to meet new standards

• Reduced supply potentially supporting rental values

• Premium for well-managed, compliant properties

• Increased tenant satisfaction and retention in professionally managed properties

Birmingham's strong rental demand—driven by universities, business growth, and HS2 development—means quality rental properties will remain highly sought after.

Get Expert Support Today

Don't Navigate These Changes Alone

The Renters Rights Act requires Birmingham landlords to elevate their approach to property management. Whether you're a seasoned portfolio landlord or managing your first buy-to-let, Three2Six provides the expertise and systems to keep you compliant and profitable.

Contact Three2Six Real Estate Agents:

• Free property management consultation

• Compliance audit for your current properties

• Transparent advice on how new legislation affects your portfolio

• Competitive 10% management fee with comprehensive service

Visit www.three2six.co.uk or call us today to discuss how we can protect your Birmingham rental investment in 2025 and beyond.

Three2Six Real Estate Agents: Birmingham's trusted property management specialists, helping landlords navigate regulatory change while maximizing returns since 2008.