Tenants support Renters’ Rights Act as 1 in 10 have received a Section 21 notice

More than 1.2 million renters have received a Section 21 ‘no-fault’ eviction and 76% believe the Renters’ Rights Act will improve life in the private rented sector, research reveals.

Co-op Insurance says that 11% of renters have been served a Section 21 notice at some point, and most tenants appear optimistic about the changes now on the statute book.

However, 15% admit that they don’t know what the new law involves.

The organisation’s head of renters, Andrew Nevitt, said: “The introduction of the new Renters’ Rights Act puts an end to no-fault evictions, which we hope will serve to improve the experience of private renting.

“Our research suggests that a large proportion of renters expect to always remain in privately rented accommodation and therefore it’s important there are adequate protections in place.”

Long term tenants

The research also reveals that longer-term renting is also becoming the norm and 24% of tenants now expect to rent for the rest of their lives.

The average length of time renters expect to remain in rented accommodation has risen by 17% since May 2024, climbing to more than four years.

Half of renters already own an animal, while 45% say their landlord has allowed them to keep one.

Almost 5% admit they have a pet despite being refused permission.

Tenants need contents insurance

The Co-op is also highlighting that a large proportion of renters are leaving themselves financially vulnerable as 44% admit that they don’t have any form of insurance for their rented home.

A fifth (20%) are unaware that they needed it despite 12% valuing the total worth of their contents at £9,000 or more.

The average total content valuation being made by tenants is more than £4,500.

In the event of theft or damage, the average maximum amount that renters can afford to spend to replace their contents without taking on any debt is just over £2,000.

Less than 5% can spend more than £9,000 on replacing items.