Send us Fan Mail

Summary

The Renters Rights Act 2025 came into force on 1 May 2026. It is the biggest overhaul of the private rented sector in over thirty years. For Black and African heritage communities, who are disproportionately renting privately, receiving eviction notices, and living in poor conditions, it matters more than for almost any other group in the country.

This week, we sit down with Linda Cobb OBE, Principal Manager of DASH Services at Derby City Council and a member of the government working group that helped shape this legislation, to explain what changed, what rights renters now have, and what the Act means for community members who are also landlords.

Key resources for renters

• Shelter free housing advice helpline: 0808 800 4444
• Citizens Advice: citizensadvice.org.uk
• DASH Services: dashservices.org.uk
• Official Renters Rights Act tenant guidance: https://housinghub.campaign.gov.uk/private-renting-is-changing/
• First-tier Tribunal (to challenge rent increases): https://www.gov.uk/courts-tribunals/first-tier-tribunal-property-chamber
• Deposit protection schemes: https://www.gov.uk/tenancy-deposit-protection

Key resources for landlords

• Official Renters Rights Act landlord guidance: https://housinghub.campaign.gov.uk/renting-is-changing/
• DASH landlord accreditation: dashservices.org.uk
• National Residential Landlords Association: nrla.org.uk
• Section 8 possession grounds: https://www.gov.uk/evicting-tenants

Your new rights from 1 May 2026 at a glance

• You cannot be evicted without a legal reason.
• Your landlord cannot refuse you because you receive benefits or have children.
• Your landlord cannot demand more than one month’s rent upfront.
• Rent can only increase once in any twelve-month period, with two months’ written notice.
• You can challenge a rent increase at the First-tier Tribunal.
• Your landlord must address damp and mould.
• You have the right to request a pet. Your landlord must respond within 28 days.

If you are a landlord: five things to do now

• Stop using fixed-term tenancy agreements.
• Protect your tenant’s deposit in a government-approved scheme.
• Give every existing tenant the official Renters Rights Act Information Sheet.
• Plan for PRS Database registration from late 2026. Without registration, you cannot legally seek possession.
• If you need to end a tenancy, use a proper Section 8 notice. Seek legal advice.

Awaab’s Law consultation

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/extending-awaabs-law-to-private-rented-tenancies-and-to-licences/extending-awaabs-law-to-private-rented-tenancies-and-to-licences

Chapters

00:00 Welcome: Renting Is Changing
02:06 Why the Renters’ Rights Act Matters
05:21 Section 21 Is Ending
07:07 New Rules on Rent and Tenancies
10:04 Tackling Discrimination in Renting
11:56 What Landlords Can Still Do
16:08 Rent Increases and Tenant Challenges
17:53 Damp, Mould, and Housing Standards
25:01 Informal Lets and Written Agreements
29:23 Key Advice for Tenants
37:12 What Landlords Need to Know
43:09 Final Takeaways

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Summary

What happens when those who claim to be defenders of the Christian faith use it to justify exclusion and racism? In this episode of The Black Paper, we unpack the rise of Christian nationalism in Britain, drawing on a new report by Theos Think Tank to examine the relationship between faith, identity and belonging, and why immigrant communities should be wary of rhetoric that weaponises Christianity to target others.

We also reflect on the tragic deaths of Jane Adetoro, Christina Walters and Rebecca Walters, three sisters who died by suicide together in May 2026. Their story forces us to confront our community’s fragile relationship with mental health discussions and the urgent need for more open, culturally aware conversations about depression, grief, isolation and seeking support.

Content note: This episode includes discussion of suicide, grief, depression and mental health crises.

If you or someone you know needs support:

• Samaritans: 116 123 (free, 24/7)
• PAPYRUS: 0800 068 4141
• CALM: 0800 58 58 58
• Shout: Text SHOUT to 85258
• Black Minds Matter UK: blackmindsmatteruk.com
• BAATN (Black, African and Asian Therapy Network): baatn.org.uk

Chapters

00:00: Welcome, UK weather and opening banter

05:45: Today’s topics: Christian nationalism and a difficult conversation on mental health

06:58: Content note and support resources

08:29: What the Theos report says about Christian nationalism

12:27: Christianity, identity, immigration and exclusion

15:23: Racism, public services and the politics behind “Christian values”

19:08: Why African-heritage communities should pay attention to the rise of Reform

22:05: Imported religious divides and geopolitical awareness

26:40: Faith, politics and the danger of exclusionary nationalism

28:08: Break

29:05: The deaths of three sisters and the conversation around mental health

31:53: Grief, isolation and the importance of checking in

36:25: Community networks and barriers to mental-health support

39:14: Why listening can matter more than having an answer

42:25: Prayer, vulnerability and making space to talk

44:36: The value of a safe space to vent

47:24: Supporting children, community and connection

49:09: Support resources revisited

50:45: Next episode preview and closing banter

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Summary

Ndukwe Onuoha is joined by Joseph Ogundemuren — political and trade union activist, community campaigner, former Hackney councillor and Chair of British Nigerian Councillors.

They explore why African and Caribbean communities need to stay engaged in politics, particularly as Labour’s conference agenda signals potential shifts on care, utilities, Brexit and electoral reform.

They also unpack what these policies could mean in practice for Black and migrant communities — from care work and the lessons of Windrush to trade union protection and Obsidian Labour’s role in building a stronger political network.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Joseph Ogundemuren and his community political work
03:00 Losing Hackney Wick and staying active after council office
04:15 Meeting King Charles, diaspora work, and Labour conference activity
07:44 Why Joseph stayed in politics instead of walking away
10:01 “If you are not seated at the table, you are on the menu”
12:12 Andy Burnham’s conference speech and the five major announcements
15:04 Why the National Care Service matters to Black workers
16:48 Care work, Windrush echoes, and political education
19:16 Why voting matters even when people feel disillusioned
20:39 What councillors do and why local politics matters
24:47 Learning the system before the system teaches you
27:13 Why Europe and the EU are not simple answers
30:09 Bad governance, elites, and blame politics
33:06 Privilege, climate politics, and global inequality
35:09 Understanding proportional representation and how it works
40:29 Why Joseph opposes proportional representation
44:09 The limits of PR, party lists, and voter participation
49:50 Listening more than speaking in political life
51:41 Why public utilities should not be run only for profit
54:17 Housing associations, waste collection, and accountability
57:37 What Obsidian Labour is and who it is for
61:30 Unison, migrant workers, and the 10-year ILR debate
65:17 Trade unions, exploitation, and defending workers’ rights
67:39 Peace, prosperity, and the case for collective action

Support the show