Litigation and conveyancing experts steal headlines as Renters’ Right Act comes into effect

A last-minute flurry of landlords looking to serve Section 21 ‘no fault’ eviction notices for both flats and houses before the deadline of the new legislation led to Mustafa Sidki, Contentious Construction Litigation Partner, and Claire Josef, Conveyancing Partner, being quoted across national newspapers and property trade media – and even appearing on international websites!

Leading newspaper coverage

The Guardian’s social affairs correspondent, Jessica Murray, interviewed Mustafa just 36 hours before the new legislation came into force on 1 May, with Mustafa explaining the impact on people’s lives: “We’ve had lots of landlords trying to serve last-minute Section 21 notices, but also lots of tenants who have been served, seeking advice because people are desperate. This is people’s homes, people’s lives.” You can read the full article with Mustafa’s interview here.

Mustafa was also cited by City AM, a business-focused newspaper distributed in and around London, in their article exploring what the change in law means for landlords, rent hikes, tenants and no-fault evictions. 

Trade press coverage

There was extensive coverage of the story by trade press for property professionals and investors – click any of the links below to be taken directly to the relevant articles.

In the general property press, there was coverage by Estates Gazette, Property Reporter and Property Industry Eye. 

The story was delivered to estate agents by Estate Agent Networking and The Negotiator, while mortgage brokers could catch it in Mortgage Soup. 

Property investors were able to read the commentary and advice from Mustafa and Claire in Property Investor Today, DIY Investor and Money Street News. 

Finally, our legal conveyancing peers could read Thackray Williams’ thoughts on how the new legislation is reshaping the market in Today’s Conveyancer. 

International coverage

The rapid traction of the story became a self-fulfilling prophesy, with MSN serving it to everyone using its web browsing services, and The UK Pulse including it in its round-up of the week’s significant news.

As if that weren’t enough, Yahoo Malaysia decided that its audience also needed to know Thackray Williams’ insights into how the Renters’ Rights’ Act was impacting landlords, tenants and the property market in the UK.

“The final countdown to the Renters’ Rights Act coming into force was a crazy busy time for us – and we’re expecting to continue to be very busy as those last-minute Section 21 notices play out – but it’s helpful that our experience was able to shine a light on how this significant change in legislations is impacting both sides of the market, and the very real, human consequences,” commented Mustafa.

The new legislation has fundamentally changed the UK property market and the ripple effects are just beginning. Whether you are a landlord adapting to the new rules or a tenant seeking clarity on your rights, our legal experts are ready to guide you. Contact Mustafa Sidki in our Litigation team on 020 8461 6140, or Claire Josef in Residential Real Estate on 020 8461 6164.