Landlord and Tenant Acts
The Landlord and Tenant Act of 1954 was divided into two parts. It was aimed to provide security of tenure for residents (part 1) and businesses (part 2) of properties over a specified number of years. However the Housing Acts of 1924 and 1930 were in many ways more relevant residential tenants, particularly social housing tennants, the latter of which obliged local councils to clear slum housing, and provide re-housing.
Ammendments to the same Landlord and Tenant Act started to require the giving of information by landlords to tenants such as the rent books in 1962, gradually oriented more to commercial tenants, as residential aspects of the Act became superseded by other legislation. The Act of 1985 increased the information requirements on landlords, including obligations to repair. In effect the the Landlord and Tenant Act of 1985, reviewed the notions of covenants in leases but also consolidated certain provisions in law of landlord and tenants formerly found in the Housing Acts, together with those in the original Landlord and Tenant Act of 1962.
The Landlord and Tenant Act of 1987, granted tenants a right of first refusal of a disposal (offer) under certain circumstances and, according to the government website is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before April 2023. Though it is important to note that many provisons for both landords and tenants became increasingly also covered by a vareity of other legislative vehicles. For example key provisions of the Housing Act 1988 was the introduction of assured shorthold tenancies, which gave tenants the right to stay in a property for a fixed period of time and gave landlords the right to regain possession of the property after the tenancy had ended. This relates to assignment or the transfer of rights, to balance where consent could previously be withheld by landlords for no good reason, the aim being to ensure refusal only for good reason.
There are a number of other potential legislative changes that will impact both landlords and tenant via changes in energy perfrmance requirements of buildings to the Renters Reform Bill, which may see all tenancies becoming periodic, with fixed term tenancies, section 21 notices and blanket bans on tenants banned.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Agricultural tenancy.
- Break clauses in leases.
- Comparable rent accusations.
- Ground rent.
- Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018.
- How to evict a tenant.
- Landlord.
- Lease Negotiations - Tenants Checklist.
- Leasehold.
- Leasehold covenants.
- Property guardianship.
- Rent.
- Rent-free period.
- Rent in administration.
- Rent review.
- Sample retail lease.
- Section 13 notice.
- Section 21 notice.
- Security of tenure.
- Service charge.
- Short term lets.
- Statutory declaration excluding security of tenure.
- Tenancy deposit protection.
- Tenant.
- Vacant possession.
[edit] External references
Featured articles and news
The Architectural Technology podcast: Where it's AT
Catch up for free, subscribe and share with your network.
The Association of Consultant Architects recap
A reintroduction and recap of ACA President; Patrick Inglis' Autumn update.
The Home Energy Model and its wrappers
From SAP to HEM, EPC for MEES and FHS assessment wrappers.
Future Homes Standard Essentials launched
Future Homes Hub launches new campaign to help sector prepare for the implementation of new building standards.
Building Safety recap February, 2026
Our regular run-down of key building safety related events of the month.
Planning reform: draft NPPF and industry responses.
Last chance to comment on proposed changes to the NPPF.
A Regency palace of colour and sensation. Book review.
Delayed, derailed and devalued
How the UK’s planning crisis is undermining British manufacturing.
How much does it cost to build a house?
A brief run down of key considerations from a London based practice.
The need for a National construction careers campaign
Highlighted by CIOB to cut unemployment, reduce skills gap and deliver on housing and infrastructure ambitions.
AI-Driven automation; reducing time, enhancing compliance
Sustainability; not just compliance but rethinking design, material selection, and the supply chains to support them.
Climate Resilience and Adaptation In the Built Environment
New CIOB Technical Information Sheet by Colin Booth, Professor of Smart and Sustainable Infrastructure.
Turning Enquiries into Profitable Construction Projects
Founder of Develop Coaching and author of Building Your Future; Greg Wilkes shares his insights.
IHBC Signpost: Poetry from concrete
Scotland’s fascinating historic concrete and brutalist architecture with the Engine Shed.
Demonstrating that apprenticeships work for business, people and Scotland’s economy.
Scottish parents prioritise construction and apprenticeships
CIOB data released for Scottish Apprenticeship Week shows construction as top potential career path.
From a Green to a White Paper and the proposal of a General Safety Requirement for construction products.
Creativity, conservation and craft at Barley Studio. Book review.
The challenge as PFI agreements come to an end
How construction deals with inherited assets built under long-term contracts.
Skills plan for engineering and building services
Comprehensive industry report highlights persistent skills challenges across the sector.
Choosing the right design team for a D&B Contract
An architect explains the nature and needs of working within this common procurement route.
Statement from the Interim Chief Construction Advisor
Thouria Istephan; Architect and inquiry panel member outlines ongoing work, priorities and next steps.