Leap of faith: renters’ rights

There is an old joke about a stranger who approaches a rabbi in tears. “Rabbi, there is a family in our community that really needs help,” the visitor explains. “The father has died. The mother has to look after the children, and with an unexpected bill, the family is now short £400 on their rent. If they don’t pay, they will be out on the streets.”

“That is terrible,” shouts the rabbi. “How do you know them?”

Wiping his face with a handkerchief, the stranger sobs: “I’m the landlord.”

The Renters’ Rights Act, which came into effect on 1 May 2026, is a good step in bringing legislation in line with Jewish values. Among other things it abolishes ‘no-fault’ evictions, bans fixed-term contracts in favour of rolling tenancies, caps rent increases to once per year and outlaws bidding wars.

The earliest rabbinic texts, which form the Mishna, forbid evictions in the rainy season. The rabbis of the Talmud fight over rent increases. While one of the rabbis sees no issue with unregulated rises, another compares rent increases to being grabbed by the testicles. The argument ends close to the current legislation, with a general agreement that market rate increases are allowed.

This week I met with a member who was hit with an unexpected £12,000 bill to repair her property between tenants. She was struggling to look after her family’s daily expenses and do right by the next renters in her property.

I have other members who have spoken to me about feeling trapped in their rental properties, unable to buy or build capital. They are afraid that, if forced to move, they will be unable to remain near their friends and support network.

In the balancing of the needs of both renters and landlords, we know that human dignity is paramount. When I speak to former key workers who were able to purchase homes, they speak of the pride and dignity they gained with the help of government schemes. While homeownership may not be available or be the right choice for all, the more people who are able to gain the opportunity, the more stability is possible for their families.

In the rabbinic discussions, what shines through is the basic humanity of both owner and renter. Both are seen as human beings, made in the Image of God. Both have rights and both are spoken about with dignity and respect.

It is easy to use our words to paint each other with unkindness, and I pray that as we continue this delicate balance of property and rental, the humans behind the transactions remain front of mind.

Rabbi Jordan Helfman is at Oaks Lane Reform Synagogue