Citizens Advice says it is supporting more than 200 people a day with disrepair, ‘no fault’ evictions and rent hikes, following the instigation of the Renters’ Rights Act.

Since last Friday, landlords are longer be able to issue Section 21 ‘no fault’ eviction notices to tenants in the private renter sector.

In March, Citizens Advice says it helped 2,335 people with a ‘no fault’ eviction, a process which can force people to uproot their lives and put them at risk of homelessness. The charity also supported more than 1,800 people with issues relating to disrepair, such as damp and mould, as well as more than 1000 with rent increases across the month.

The charity – which successfully campaigned for ‘no fault’ evictions to be abolished as well as improved rights for private renters – says the new legislation will deliver a much-needed boost to renters.

The changes coming into force will affect tenants both before and during their tenancies.

Amy Hughes, Advice Manager at Citizens Advice, said: “The Renters’ Rights Act is a huge moment for private renters. It will address the historic power imbalance in the private rental sector and give tenants the security they deserve in their homes.

“Our advisers have seen the devastating impact ‘no fault’ evictions can have. Now landlords will only be able to evict tenants for specific reasons, like rent arrears, antisocial behaviour, or where they need to sell the property.

“For too long, tenants have faced the threat of eviction for simply speaking out against bad landlord behaviour or poor conditions. The new laws will see an end to these retaliatory practices and deliver a welcome boost to private renters’ rights.”