Tessa Spring

Housing affects far more than where we sleep. It influences stability, routines, relationships, work, health and our wider sense of security. During periods of change, where and how we live can influence many areas of daily life.

This is one reason the recent rental reforms in England feel significant. The first phase of the Renters’ Rights Act came into force on 1 May 2026, including the abolition of Section 21 “no fault” evictions.

I first wrote about the proposed end of Section 21 notices back in 2019 while working in the housing sector. At the time, the reforms were still being debated and there were strong views across the sector about what the changes might mean for tenants, landlords and the wider housing market.

Now that major reforms are beginning to take effect, it feels like an important moment to reflect on why housing security matters and how housing policy needs to reflect the reality of how people live in their homes now.

Why housing security matters

The private rented sector has changed significantly over recent decades. More families with children now rent long-term, alongside increasing numbers of older renters and people who may once have expected to buy a home earlier in life.

Housing insecurity can affect far more than practical arrangements. It can interrupt routines, work, schools, healthcare, support networks and a wider sense of continuity. During periods of change such as separation, illness, burnout, financial pressure or becoming a parent, uncertainty around housing can make life feel much harder to navigate.

The recent reforms recognise that reality. Greater security for renters may help people feel more settled and better able to plan ahead, particularly those who have spent years living with uncertainty around whether a tenancy might suddenly end.

Changes around periodic tenancies, rent increases and rules affecting families or pets may also help some people feel more able to create a genuine sense of home, rather than feeling permanently temporary.

As these reforms take effect, much will depend on how clearly the changes are communicated and how well the wider system functions in practice.

Housing and wider life transitions

Through supporting people with home and life transitions, I’ve seen how closely housing decisions connect to wider questions about health, relationships, family life, work and future planning.

Sometimes people are deciding whether to move after separation or bereavement. Others are reassessing where they live because their current home no longer feels manageable or suited to daily life. While some are renting as they try to regain stability after a difficult period.

Increasingly, some people are also choosing to rent after selling long-term homes. For some, it offers flexibility during a period of reassessment, or the chance to experience a different area and rhythm of life before deciding where they want to settle longer term.

Feeling secure where you’re living can make a significant difference at times like these.

The reforms won’t resolve wider housing pressures around affordability, occupancy and supply, but they do reflect growing recognition that stable housing affects wellbeing, health and everyday life.

For anyone navigating a move or wider life transition, housing decisions are rarely only financial. They’re also connected to how we want to live, what helps daily life feel manageable and what feels realistic for the future.