England enacts major housing reforms as U.S. housing policy stalls

Sun, 03 May 2026 10:31:00 +0200

England has introduced a landmark housing law, the Renters’ Rights Act, which took effect on May 1, 2026. The legislation aims to protect tenants and improve housing conditions amid rising rents, homelessness, and unsafe rental properties. Key provisions include eliminating no-fault evictions, also known as Section 21 evictions, restricting landlords to increase rent only to market levels once per year with proper notice, and enabling tenants to challenge excessive rent hikes in court. The law also imposes public housing standards on private rentals, allows local authorities to fine landlords for violations, and establishes a searchable rental housing registry for tenants. In contrast, the United States continues to struggle with housing affordability, with half of renters and a quarter of homeowners spending more than a third of their income on housing. Though the U.S. Senate passed a bipartisan housing bill in March 2026 to increase housing supply, the legislation remains stalled in