The Renters’ Rights Act just made it faster to evict your nightmare neighbours
Key Points
- Housing minister Matthew Pennycook confirmed on 26 May 2026 that landlords can apply to the court immediately in all anti-social behaviour eviction cases.
- The Renters' Rights Act 2025 shortened the notice period under the mandatory eviction ground 7A.
- Judges in possession cases must now consider whether tenants engaged with efforts to resolve their behaviour and the impact on other tenants in HMOs.
- A new Respect Order will be introduced, which local authorities can apply for against persistent adult offenders.
- Pennycook did not commit to new regulations specifically holding private landlords accountable for tenant anti-social behaviour beyond existing selective and HMO licensing powers.
Housing minister Matthew Pennycook has confirmed landlords can go straight to court to evict anti-social tenants under the new Renters’ Rights Act.
“Tackling anti-social behaviour is a top priority for this government, and a key part of our Safer Streets Mission,” said Pennycook in a written answer on Tuesday (26 May).
The response came to a parliamentary question tabled by Labour MP Connor Naismith, who represents Crewe and Nantwich and had asked what assessment the department had made of the effectiveness of regulations holding private landlords accountable for tenant anti-social behaviour.
Under the Renters’ Rights Act, landlords can immediately apply to the court in all cases of anti-social behaviour without waiting out a notice period.
Judges in possession hearings must now also have particular regard to whether tenants have engaged with efforts to resolve their behaviour, and to the impact on other tenants in houses in multiple occupation.
Pennycook pointed to several other powers already available to tackle nuisance tenants.
Police, local authorities and social landlords can apply for a Civil Injunction under Section 1 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 to prevent housing-related nuisance and annoyance.
A new Respect Order is also being introduced, which councils will be able to apply for and which will carry sanctions and penalties for persistent adult offenders.
On the specific question of landlord accountability, Pennycook said local authorities can already use selective and HMO licensing conditions to require landlords to take steps to manage anti-social behaviour caused by their tenants.
The minister did not commit to introducing further regulations specifically holding private landlords accountable for tenant behaviour beyond the existing licensing regime and court-led eviction route.
