We can support landlords and their tenants ahead of Renters Reform

10 Apr 2025

A collaboration between East Suffolk and West Suffolk Council is urging private landlords worried about the Renters Rights Bill to get in touch with their council.

The new bill is expected to be passed this summer and amongst other things bring an end to Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions. The Government says the move will give renters much greater security and stability so they can stay in their homes for longer, build lives in their communities, and avoid the risk of homelessness.

“Safe Suffolk Renters – East and West Suffolk”, a collaboration between East Suffolk and West Suffolk councils, aims to work with private sector landlords to support them and their tenants, help ensure standards and share best practice. 

As part of this, Safe Suffolk Renters is holding a free training event for private landlords and letting agents in Newmarket later this month outlining the changes as well as support for landlords.

Both East Suffolk Council and West Suffolk Council offer a no-fee lettings service and guaranteed rent to private sector landlords and lettings agents with properties to let. The service also includes a deposit bond for up to six weeks’ worth of rent and free regular property inspections to ensure to give landlords peace of mind that their property is being managed and looked after. The aim is to support a successful tenancy which forms a wider part of the two councils’ efforts to prevent and reduce homelessness.

Cllr Richard O’Driscoll, Cabinet Member for Housing at West Suffolk Council said: “Private landlords are an important and integral part in how we collectively house our communities in West Suffolk. We know there have been lots of scary headlines about the national changes but both West Suffolk and East Suffolk Councils can help and support landlords through these changes.

“Our West Suffolk Lettings Partnership for instance is already working with landlords and letting agents to manage 130 homes on their behalf at no cost to the landlord or agent, with guaranteed rent, regular checks on the property and support for both the landlord and their tenants. From our point of view the national changes don’t need to be scary but they do present landlords and letting agents with another very good reason to look at how working with us can benefit them and their tenants. Through this they will also be helping our communities and supporting the delivery of West Suffolk’s Housing, Homelessness Reduction and Rough Sleeping Strategy.”

Cllr David Beavan, East Suffolk Council’s Cabinet member for Housing, said: "We want to help private landlords navigate the new legislation coming their way this year. With falling interest rates and a desperate need for housing locally, there will always be a place for responsible private lets in East Suffolk.

“Rather than rushing to evict tenants and getting bogged down in court proceedings, I would urge landlords to contact us to discuss the resources we have in place to help. We can offer advice on how to prepare for changes to the system and explore options to ensure a successful tenancy without cause for eviction."

Landlords and letting agents can find out more about how East Suffolk Council can support them on the East Suffolk Council website and support from West Suffolk Council on our help for landlords webpage..

Safer Suffolk Renters – East and West Suffolk also provides a landlord liaison service to help work through any specific issues or questions while the website offers up to date information for private landlords and their tenants.  For more on Safe Suffolk Renters – East and West Suffolk, visit its website. 

Private landlords and letting agents can also book for the free “Guiding you through the Renters Rights Bill” event on 29 April at Newmarket Racecourse on the Safe Suffolk Renters - East and West Suffolk events webpage.

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