Legislation supporting private renters - Private Renters in Camden

Legislation supporting private renters

Landlords are required to comply with a wide range of legislation. 

The Renters' Rights Act 2025 - key changes from 1 May 2026

The law that protects you as a private renter in Camden has changed significantly under the the Renters' Rights Act 2025.

• Section 21 'no fault' evictions are abolished. Your landlord can no longer ask you to leave without giving a valid legal reason.
• All tenancies become periodic (rolling) there are no more fixed-term assured tenancies.
• Rent can only be increased once a year and you have the right to challenge any increase at the First-tier Tribunal.
• Landlords and agents are banned from asking for more than one month's rent in advance and from encouraging a 'bidding war' on rent.
• Landlords cannot refuse to rent to you because you have children or because you receive benefits such as Universal Credit or Housing Benefit.
• You have a new qualified right to keep a pet your landlord cannot unreasonably refuse.
• Your landlord must provide you with a written statement of the terms of your tenancy.

You can find out more detailed information on the Government's housing hub. 

Camden's Private Sector Housing team has a duty to enforce the landlord legislation in its area. This includes powers to investigate complaints, carry out inspections, issue improvement notices, and impose financial penalties on landlords who break the law. 

Awaab's Law — requiring landlords to deal with damp and mould hazards promptly — is to be extended to private renters but the Government have not yet announced when.

The Decent Homes Standard will apply to the private rented sector from 2035.

A safe and well maintained home

You landlord must keep your property in good repair and ensure it is free from serious hazards.  Issues which could affect your health can be dealt with under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS), Housing Act 2004. This applies to all rented properties used as a tenants main residence.  For more information on HHSRS visit the GOV.UK website. 

They should deal with any water, gas or electricity supply problems. Any appliances and furniture supplied with the property must also be maintained. 

How to rent: the checklist for renting in England 

Your landlord, or letting agent, should give you the current version of the How to Rent guide when an assured periodic tenancy starts.

The guide does not cover lodgers (people who live with their landlord) or tenants where the property is not their main or only home. They can provide you with either a printed copy, or send a digital version by email. 

Fitness for human habitation 

Your property must be safe, healthy and free from things that could cause serious harm. If not, you can take your landlord to court.

For more information, see the tenants’ guide on using the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018.

You should also check whether your tenancy agreement excuses you from paying rent should the building become unfit to live in because of, for example, a fire or flood. 

Gas Safety Certificate 

Your landlord must provide you with a copy of this certificate before you start your tenancy. 

Landlords are required to arrange a gas safety check of gas appliances in your accommodation on an annual basis. They must also provide you with a copy of the new certificate.

For further information please visit Shelter’s website.

Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) 

Your landlord must provide you with a copy of the EPC, which contains the energy performance rating of the property you are renting, free of charge at the onset of your tenancy.

As of April 2020, all privately rented properties must have an energy performance rating of EPC band E or above (unless a valid exemption applies) prior to being let out.

Landlords in England and Wales will need to ensure their properties meet an EPC C by 1 October 20230 for all tenancies, unless they have an exemption.

You can search online for the EPC and check its rating. 

Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) 

Landlords must keep installations for the supply of electricity in repair and proper working order throughout the tenancy.

Landlords have additional obligations to ensure the electrics within the rented property are safe (Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020) and must carry out a safety inspection by a competent person every 5 years. The electrical safety report is known as the Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) and must be provided to the tenant at the start of the tenancy and after each safety inspection.

Visit Shelter’s website for more information. 

Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors  

The Smoke and Carbon Monoxide alarm regulations 2015 legislation requires landlords to provide smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms under a tenancy or licence: 

All landlords must ensure that there is a smoke alarm on each floor of a property which is being used wholly or partly as living accommodation. 

A landlord must also provide carbon monoxide alarms in any room being used as living accommodation in which solid fuel is used. A room relating to carbon monoxide detection includes hall and landing. Solid fuel in the legislation is identified as coal or wood not gas or oil.

For more information visit Shelter’s website.  

Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs)

If the property is an HMO, then the landlord must obtain a licence from the Council. Any necessary fire safety works will be included in the HMO licence schedule of works. Your landlord will be given a timeframe to get these works completed by the council. Failure to complete the works will result in enforcement action.  

You can find out further information about HMO licensing in Camden on the Council webpages.