The Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 came into force in England on 20th March 2019.  The Homes Act will make it so that landlords must ensure their property is fit for human habitation at the start of the tenancy, and then maintain this standard throughout the rest of the time the tenant lives in the property.

The legislation does not come into force for all tenancies at the same time however.

After March 20th 2019, any tenancies which are new, or renewed the legislation will apply from the start date of the new tenancy. This will include any statutory periodic tenancies that start after a fixed term comes to an end.

For tenancies which were already periodic tenancies, there is a 12-month grace period until March 20th 2020 before these tenancies are caught by the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act.