South Bristol’s renters and landlords are being invited to ‘sit on the sofa’ at two special events in the city next week to find out more about the biggest shake-up to renting law in a generation.
The Living Room Roadshow is part of a West of England campaign called WE Rent and will be visiting two Bristol locations in the days leading up to the Renters’ Rights Act coming into force on 1 May:
- Tuesday 29 April, afternoon: Senate House, University of Bristol, Tyndall Avenue, BS8 1TH (student-focused session)
- Friday 1 May, 10am–2pm: Millennium Square, Bristol BS1 5DB (the day the law changes)
The new law, the biggest shake-up to renting in more than 30 years, abolishes Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions, ends fixed-term tenancies, bans rental bidding wars and limits rent increases to once per year.
More than 30 organisations across the region, including housing charities, universities, letting agents and community groups, have joined forces to make sure Bristol’s 125,000 private renters, and their landlords, understand what the changes mean for them.
The campaign is backed by Bristol City Council, North Somerset Council, South Gloucestershire Council, B&NES and the West of England Combined Authority.
Alice Tibbert, CEO of Housing Matters and lead convenor of the WE Rent campaign, said: “The Renters’ Rights Act is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for people renting in Bristol. But good law only works if people know about it and feel confident using it.
“That’s why organisations right across this region have come together – housing charities, the council, universities, letting agents, community groups – to make sure that when this law changes on 1 May, Bristol’s renters and landlords are ready.
“We’re looking forward to just having a chat with people to create a comfortable environment to help people know their rights, it could make a real difference to someone’s life.”
Councillor Barry Parsons, Bristol City Council, said: “This is something of a watershed moment for renting in Bristol. The legislation is the biggest transformation to the sector in a generation, and we are pleased to explore all opportunities to maximise the benefits of the Renters’ Rights Act.
“This partnership approach to homelessness prevention means we will be working with the whole sector, pooling our resources to make sure that renters and landlords know what the changes are, reducing the prevalence of homelessness presentations related to evictions.
“While the Renters’ Rights Act is a step in the right direction, it does not go far enough in places. We continue to advocate to government for additional powers to further shape the private rented sector, namely around affordability.”
The roadshow events are informal, welcoming people to sit on the sofa for a friendly chat about what the new law means for them, whether they rent or own a property they let out.
The WE Rent campaign spans the whole West of England region, covering Bristol, South Gloucestershire, North Somerset and Bath & North East Somerset, and is believed to be the only coordinated regional campaign of its kind in England.
A free Renters’ Rights Guidebook in plain English is available to download at www.we-rent.org.uk, and printed copies will be available at both roadshow events.