Politics
Renters Reform Bill 2026 to Alter Eviction Protections for Notting Hill Tenants
The changes will limit no-fault evictions and cap rent rises for the many private renters living in Notting Hill's Victorian terraces and flats.
How we reported this
The Renters Reform Bill received royal assent in June and removes section 21 no-fault evictions for private tenancies across England, including those in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. Landlords in Notting Hill must now use section 8 grounds to regain possession of a property.
The legislation takes effect in stages beginning January 2027, at a time when private renting forms a large share of local housing. Parliament passed the bill after years of consultation on tenancy security in high-cost boroughs.
Residents on Portobello Road and surrounding streets will receive at least two months' notice under the new rules before any eviction hearing. A family in a two-bedroom flat above a shop on Golborne Road, for instance, can no longer face removal solely because the landlord wishes to re-let at a higher rate.
The Office for National Statistics recorded that 42 per cent of households in Kensington and Chelsea were private renters in the latest census data. The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities projects that the bill will cover approximately 4.6 million tenancies nationally once fully in force.
Changes to Rent Review Processes
Landlords may still increase rent once a year, but tenants can challenge excessive rises at the First-tier Tribunal. Local advice centres in Notting Hill expect more residents to seek guidance on tribunal forms and comparable rent evidence from nearby streets such as Ladbroke Grove.
Implementation Timeline
The government says local authorities will receive updated guidance by October. Kensington and Chelsea housing officers plan to hold drop-in sessions at the town hall for any tenant or landlord with questions about the transition.