How ready is London for the Renters’ Rights Act?
London’s private rented sector is on the brink of its biggest overhaul in a generation, with the Renters’ Rights Act abolishing so-called “no-fault” evictions, introducing open-ended tenancies and strengthening protections against unfair rent rises. But evidence suggests a stark implementation gap as most renters remain unaware of their existing or new rights, councils are already struggling to enforce current powers, and court systems face growing pressure as rent disputes increase.
Without sufficient capacity, funding and public awareness, there is a real risk that the benefits of the Act will not be felt evenly, particularly by low-income, migrant and otherwise marginalised renters.
The London Assembly Housing Committee will meet tomorrow to find out how the Act’s measures will be applied and monitored in London, and what practical barriers stand in the way of effective enforcement.
The session will also explore what role the Mayor of London can play in supporting councils, improving renter awareness and ensuring new protections are enforceable in practice.
The guests are:
Panel 1 (10:00am – 11:15am)
- Niamh Evans, Policy Officer, Renters’ Reform Coalition
- Ben Twomey, Chief Executive, Generation Rent
- Paul Williams, National Organiser, ACORN
- Alva Gotby, Member Solidarity Organiser, London Renters Union
Panel 2 (11:20am – 12:40pm)
- Ben Beadle, Chief Executive, National Residential Landlords Association
- Dan Hawthorn, Executive Director for Housing and Social Investment, Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
- Karen Swift, Director of Housing Strategy, Policy and Regulatory Assurance, London Borough of Tower Hamlets
- Charlotte Ward, Head of Private Sector Housing, London Borough of Ealing
The meeting will take place on Tuesday 20 January 2026 from 10am in the Chamber at City Hall, Kamal Chunchie Way, E16 1ZE.
Media and members of the public are invited to attend.
The meeting can also be viewed LIVE or later via webcast or YouTube.
Follow us @LondonAssembly.
Notes to editors
- Zoë Garbett AM, Chair of the Housing Committee, is available for interview.
- Find out more about the work of the Housing Committee.
- Read the agenda in full.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For more information, please contact Daniel Zikmund in the Assembly Media Office on 07860647577 or [email protected]. For out of hours media enquiries please call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the Assembly duty press officer.