[ Categories ](https://www.pfk.co.uk/news/categories "Categories") [ Tags ](https://www.pfk.co.uk/news/tags "Tags") [ Calendar ](https://www.pfk.co.uk/news/calendar "Calendar") [ Categories: All Categories ](https://www.pfk.co.uk/javascript:void(0); "Categories") Search...Suggested keywords [ x ](https://www.pfk.co.uk/javascript:void(0);) [ Print ](https://www.pfk.co.uk/news/the-home-act?tmpl=component&print=1&format=print "Print") # The Home Act [Estates](https://www.pfk.co.uk/news/categories/estates) [PFK](https://www.pfk.co.uk/news/blogger/pfk) Monday, 22 July 2019 3650 Hits [ 0 Comments ](https://www.pfk.co.uk/news/the-home-act#comments) The Home (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 finished its parliamentary journey in December 2018. Since the 20th March 2019 all social and private landlords, including letting agents, in England have been required to comply. Known as the Homes Act, landlords and letting agents acting on their behalf will be required by law to ensure that a home is fit for human habitation from the beginning and throughout the duration of a tenancy. In determining for the purposes of this Act whether a house or dwelling is unfit for human habitation, regard shall be had to its condition in respect of the following matters: - Repair - Stability - Freedom from damp - Internal arrangement - Natural lighting - Ventilation - Water supply - Drainage and sanitary conveniences - Facilities for preparation and cooking of food and for the disposal of waste water If a home is found to be hazardous, and the issue is not resolved, tenants will have the right to take direct legal action in the courts for breach of contract. Certain exemptions apply where the landlord or letting agent will not be held responsible. All new or renewed domestic tenancies on or after 20 March 2019 will apply to the new rules. This includes any tenancies that are significantly changed, such as a Change of Sharer. Existing Fixed-Term Tenancies will fall under the requirements of the Act when they are renewed or become Periodic. Existing Periodic Tenancies have twelve months until they will need to comply on **20 March 2020.** PFK are pleased that the Homes Act has come into force, to provide a better private rented sector for all. This new legislation gives renters greater protection and means they will now be able to take direct legal action if their agent or landlord does not comply. [ ](https://www.pfk.co.uk/javascript:void(0);) [ ](https://www.pfk.co.uk/javascript:void(0);) [ ](https://www.pfk.co.uk/javascript:void(0);) [ ](https://www.pfk.co.uk/javascript:void(0);) Tags: [News](https://www.pfk.co.uk/news/tags/news) [×](https://www.pfk.co.uk/javascript:void(0);) Stay Informed When you subscribe to the blog, we will send you an e-mail when there are new updates on the site so you wouldn't miss them. Your Name E-mail Address [ Tenant Fee Ban ](https://www.pfk.co.uk/news/tenant-fee-ban) [ Step by step guide to buying a property ](https://www.pfk.co.uk/news/step-by-step-guide-to-buying-a-property-1) #### About the author [ ![PFK](https://pfk-estate.b-cdn.net/images/easyblog_avatar/924_pfk-favicon.png) ](https://www.pfk.co.uk/news/blogger/pfk) ### [PFK](https://www.pfk.co.uk/news/blogger/pfk) [ Subscribe to updates from author ](https://www.pfk.co.uk/javascript:void(0);) [ Unsubscribe to updates from author ](https://www.pfk.co.uk/javascript:void(0);) [ PFK ](https://www.pfk.co.uk/news/blogger/pfk) ##### Author's recent posts [More posts from author](https://www.pfk.co.uk/news/blogger/pfk) [ Monday, 09 November 2026 New landlord and property registration requirements coming in 2027 ](https://www.pfk.co.uk/news/new-landlord-and-property-registration-requirements-coming-in-2027) [ Wednesday, 09 September 2026 Introducing our brand new publication ](https://www.pfk.co.uk/news/introducing-our-brand-new-publication) [ Thursday, 02 July 2026 PFK Estate Agency Appoints New Managing Director ](https://www.pfk.co.uk/news/pfk-estate-agency-appoints-new-managing-director) #### Related Posts [](https://www.pfk.co.uk/news/summer-2022-newsletter)### [Summer 2022 Newsletter](https://www.pfk.co.uk/news/summer-2022-newsletter) [Land](https://www.pfk.co.uk/news/categories/land) [](https://www.pfk.co.uk/news/find-the-right-grant-for-you-with-pfk-land-agency)### [Find the right grant for you with PFK Land Agency](https://www.pfk.co.uk/news/find-the-right-grant-for-you-with-pfk-land-agency) [Land](https://www.pfk.co.uk/news/categories/land) [](https://www.pfk.co.uk/news/england-bps-lump-sum-exit-scheme)### [England - BPS Lump Sum Exit Scheme](https://www.pfk.co.uk/news/england-bps-lump-sum-exit-scheme) [Land](https://www.pfk.co.uk/news/categories/land) [](https://www.pfk.co.uk/news/national-model-design-code-update)### [National Model Design Code Update](https://www.pfk.co.uk/news/national-model-design-code-update) [Planning & Development](https://www.pfk.co.uk/news/categories/planning-development) [](https://www.pfk.co.uk/news/consultation-on-partial-review-of-eden-local-plan)### [Consultation on Partial Review of Eden Local Plan](https://www.pfk.co.uk/news/consultation-on-partial-review-of-eden-local-plan) [Planning & Development](https://www.pfk.co.uk/news/categories/planning-development) #### Comments No comments made yet. Be the first to submit a comment [ ![](https://pfk-estate.b-cdn.net/media/com_easyblog/images/avatars/author.png) ](https://www.pfk.co.uk/javascript:void(0);) Saturday, 14 November 2026 Subscribe to the blog (Please fill in your email address to subscribe to updates from this post.)