The private rental market in England is heading for one of its most significant changes in decades as the Renters’ Rights Act begins to take shape. Much of the discussion has focused on the headline reforms such as the abolition of Section 21 “no-fault” evictions and the move towards periodic tenancies. Yet among the many measures included within the legislation, one particular change could affect thousands of people who are simply trying to find somewhere to rent.

That change centres around what have become known as “blanket bans.”

For many years it has been common to see property adverts carrying phrases such as “No DSS”, “No benefits”, or “No children”. In some cases the wording has been more subtle, appearing as “professionals only” or similar language that effectively filters out certain applicants before they even have the opportunity to enquire about the property.

Under the Renters’ Rights Act, these kinds of blanket restrictions are set to disappear.

The aim is relatively straightforward. Instead of whole groups of people being excluded from the rental market at the advertising stage, landlords and agents will be expected to consider applicants on an individual basis. A person receiving benefits, for example, should not automatically be prevented from applying for a property. Equally, families with children should not find themselves ruled out before the conversation even begins.

In theory it introduces a simple principle of fairness. Rather than making assumptions about potential tenants based on broad categories, decisions should be made by looking at each applicant’s circumstances.

Of course, the reality of the rental market is rarely quite that simple.

Landlords will still be able to make decisions based on affordability, references, credit checks and the suitability of the property itself. What they will no longer be able to do is rely on automatic policies that exclude entire groups of renters before those checks even take place.

Another important element of the reform is that certain clauses historically found in mortgage or insurance agreements will no longer be accepted as justification for blanket bans. In the past, some lenders and insurers included restrictions that discouraged landlords from letting to tenants who received benefits. The new legislation aims to remove those barriers.

For many renters, particularly those on lower incomes or relying partly on housing support, the change could make a noticeable difference. Anyone who has spent time scrolling through rental listings will know how quickly opportunities can disappear when large sections of the market are closed off before an application can even be submitted.

It is also worth remembering that this measure represents just one part of a much wider set of reforms contained within the Renters’ Rights Act. The legislation covers a range of issues including tenancy structures, rent increases, dispute resolution through a new ombudsman, and stronger enforcement powers for local authorities.

Even so, the removal of blanket bans stands out because of its immediate visibility. It touches the very first stage of the rental journey: the moment someone begins searching for a place to live.

For those looking for rented homes, that first step has often been the hardest. Listings disappear quickly, competition is intense, and certain applicants have found themselves ruled out before the process even begins.

The new rules attempt to change that starting point.

Whether it ultimately widens access to housing or simply reshapes how landlords screen tenants remains something the market will discover over time. As with many reforms in the property world, the intention may be clear, yet the practical consequences often take longer to reveal themselves.

What is certain is that the end of blanket bans represents a significant shift in the way rental properties are advertised and allocated. And for thousands of people currently searching for somewhere to live, that shift could make a real difference to the opportunities available to them.

As the Renters’ Rights Act continues to move closer to implementation, this is just one of many areas where the rental landscape is quietly beginning to change.

Join Gareth Wax and Hamish McLay on Property Matters as they explore the evolving issues shaping the property sector, and this week they will also be joined by Tiffany Fairbrother to add her perspective to the discussion.

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