Harrow West MP Gareth Thomas has today declared: “A promise made, a promise delivered” after the landmark Renters’ Rights Act received Royal Assent. The reforms mark a significant shift for renters across Harrow, a borough where around 88,000 households rent privately and where high London rents, bidding wars, and insecure tenancies have long created pressure for local families.
Private renting has become an increasingly significant part of Harrow’s housing picture, but many renters have struggled with the growing trend of competition between prospective tenants. In north-west London, agents and tenants have reported property advertisements where applicants were asked to submit offers above the listed rent, driving up prices and making it harder for people to secure a home. Others have faced the uncertainty of short fixed-term tenancies lasting just six to twelve months, followed by the risk of being asked to move on with minimal notice despite having been reliable tenants.
Concerns over poor housing conditions and weak enforcement have also been building locally. In October, housing campaigners issued a call to protest under the banner “Harrow Council: Stop Ignoring Renters”. They warned that too many households in the borough were living with damp and mould, rogue landlords, unaffordable rents, and long periods spent in temporary accommodation. Their message to the local authority was direct: renters deserve safe, secure and decent homes – and the Council must do more to listen and respond.
Against this backdrop, the Renters’ Rights Act represents a fundamental reset. Reflecting on the significance of the reform, Gareth Thomas said the changes will reshape renting standards in Harrow. He explained: “No more bidding wars, it’s now illegal to request, encourage or accept offers above the set price. No more paying huge amounts upfront, you can’t be asked to pay more than one month’s rent upfront. No more no-fault evictions, all evictions must be based on valid grounds. Fixed-term tenancies ended, all tenancies will default to being rolling monthly contracts. Landlords can no longer impose blanket bans on pets; they must consider requests fairly and give reasonable justification for refusals. Longer notice for sales means renters must be given at least four months’ notice when a tenancy is ending because the landlord intends to sell.”
He added that these reforms deliver meaningful protection for the roughly 88,000 renting households in Harrow and ensure a “fairer, more secure deal” for local people navigating the borough’s challenging rental market.
Although the Act has now become law, many of its measures will only take effect once detailed commencement regulations are introduced. Until then, renters in Harrow who believe a landlord or agent is acting unfairly – such as by demanding several months’ rent upfront or encouraging bids above the set asking price – are advised to keep clear records, gather evidence and seek support at an early stage.
Private renting has become an increasingly significant part of Harrow’s housing picture, but many renters have struggled with the growing trend of competition between prospective tenants. In north-west London, agents and tenants have reported property advertisements where applicants were asked to submit offers above the listed rent, driving up prices and making it harder for people to secure a home. Others have faced the uncertainty of short fixed-term tenancies lasting just six to twelve months, followed by the risk of being asked to move on with minimal notice despite having been reliable tenants.
Concerns over poor housing conditions and weak enforcement have also been building locally. In October, housing campaigners issued a call to protest under the banner “Harrow Council: Stop Ignoring Renters”. They warned that too many households in the borough were living with damp and mould, rogue landlords, unaffordable rents, and long periods spent in temporary accommodation. Their message to the local authority was direct: renters deserve safe, secure and decent homes – and the Council must do more to listen and respond.
Against this backdrop, the Renters’ Rights Act represents a fundamental reset. Reflecting on the significance of the reform, Gareth Thomas said the changes will reshape renting standards in Harrow. He explained: “No more bidding wars, it’s now illegal to request, encourage or accept offers above the set price. No more paying huge amounts upfront, you can’t be asked to pay more than one month’s rent upfront. No more no-fault evictions, all evictions must be based on valid grounds. Fixed-term tenancies ended, all tenancies will default to being rolling monthly contracts. Landlords can no longer impose blanket bans on pets; they must consider requests fairly and give reasonable justification for refusals. Longer notice for sales means renters must be given at least four months’ notice when a tenancy is ending because the landlord intends to sell.”
He added that these reforms deliver meaningful protection for the roughly 88,000 renting households in Harrow and ensure a “fairer, more secure deal” for local people navigating the borough’s challenging rental market.
Although the Act has now become law, many of its measures will only take effect once detailed commencement regulations are introduced. Until then, renters in Harrow who believe a landlord or agent is acting unfairly – such as by demanding several months’ rent upfront or encouraging bids above the set asking price – are advised to keep clear records, gather evidence and seek support at an early stage.
Harrow Monitoring Group 