Greater Manchester Tenants Union (GMTU) welcomes the passing of the long-overdue Renters’ Rights Act, yet we call on the government to immediately announce when it will come into force and when the practice of Section 21 “no-fault” evictions will finally end — we anticipate early 2026.
As founding members of the Renters Reform Coalition, we have campaigned tirelessly for the strongest possible protections for tenants. While many of the reforms in the Act are welcome, significant weaknesses remain: unscrupulous landlords may still exploit loopholes — for example by claiming they need to sell a property or move in themselves — to evict tenants unfairly.
The effective implementation of the Act — especially the creation, scope and usability of the landlord & property database — will be crucial. However, improved rights will only matter if backed by proper enforcement mechanisms and meaningful access to legal redress. This principle applies equally to Awaab’s Law, which formally came into force for social housing on 27 October 2025.
We recognise that Awaab’s Law represents an important step forward following the tragic death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak in 2020, as a result of prolonged exposure to damp and mould in his family’s home. The duty now placed on social landlords to act swiftly to repair hazards is welcome.
Yet, our members in Greater Manchester have witnessed a sharp rise in complaints about damp, mould and poor housing conditions in social housing, particularly in the Rochdale area, which leaves us with limited confidence that new legislation alone will bring meaningful change.
The use of the property tribunal to contest unfair rent increases is insufficient: in practice it often only delays rises rather than prevents them. A truly effective system requires a return to genuine rent controls, not merely adjudication.
GMTU will continue to fight for:
- The proper enforcement of housing standards.
- A genuine end to the power imbalance between tenants and landlords.
- The return of rent controls to protect tenants and curb profiteering.
- The mass construction of council and social-rent homes needed to tackle the housing crisis at its root.
We are clear: legislation alone is not enough. What matters is delivery, enforcement, and meaningful change for tenants.
GMTU believes that collective tenant action remains the most powerful tool for accountability. Our Middleton Branch has successfully secured over £90,000 in compensation from Riverside Housing due to damp and mould issues—and the campaign continues.
We remind all tenants that rent is payment for a safe and habitable home. If your social landlord fails to provide this, we urge you to join your local tenants union and demand your rights.
For further support, including step-by-step templates for challenging your social landlord, please contact: middleton@tenantsunion.org.uk
