CAMPAIGNERS hailed “a huge step forward” as a ban on no-fault evictions goes into force today, “empowering England’s 11 million private renters to stand up for our rights without fear.”

The Renters’ Reform Coalition (RRC) said protections enacted in the government’s Renters’ Rights Act will “fundamentally rebalance the relationship between tenant and landlord.”

The government said the legislation represents the “biggest increase to renters’ rights in 40 years.”

As well as ending no-fault evictions, the Act will include stricter rules and fines on landlords, which the government says will protect tenants from financial exploitation, homelessness and discrimination.

It will also end fixed-term contracts, regulate rent increases, ban bidding wars, restrict up-front rent to a maximum of one month, allow renters to request pets and ban discrimination against tenants on benefits or who have children.

RRC director Clara Collingwood said abolishing Section 21 evictions was the product of “years of campaigning by renters’ organisations.”

Ms Collingwood said: “It’s fantastic that Section 21 no fault evictions have finally been banned.

“For too long this everyday injustice has allowed landlords to get away with outrageous behaviour – profiting from unhealthy homes and threatening tenants who try to stand up to them.

“Ending it will fundamentally rebalance the relationship between tenant and landlord, empowering England’s 11 million private renters to stand up for our rights without fear.

“These are the biggest changes to private renting in a generation and will give renters security and peace of mind in our homes.”

She said that while the Act is a huge step forward, it “will not end the cost-of-renting crisis pushing many tenants into poverty.

“At the Renters’ Reform Coalition, we won’t rest until renters have homes that are affordable as well as decent and secure,” she said.

PM Sir Keir Starmer said the changes in the law represent a “historic action” and will make “renting fairer, safer and more secure for millions, so people can settle, put down roots and build their lives.”