The major change was welcomed by renter groups, but this change comes with warnings that it could increase homelessness without better Legal Aid access and support for tenants.

The Government’s Renters Rights Act, which came into force on May 1, abolishes Section 21 “no-fault” evictions and aims to give renters greater security.

But the Law Society has raised concerns that many renters will be unable to enforce their new rights or navigate legal disputes due to a lack of Legal Aid support.

Mark Evans, president of the Law Society of England and Wales, said: “If our Government truly believes in acting for the common good, they must guarantee that all of us, no matter where we live or how much money we have, we need to access justice.”

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Recent research by the Law Society shows that more than 25 million people across England and Wales, over 40 per cent of the population have no access to a local law firm specialising in housing Legal Aid.

Homelessness is already rising in Oxfordshire, with more than 1,170 households affected in 2024–25.

Without Legal Aid, the Law Society warns that renters could face “an uphill struggle” to challenge landlords, enforce their rights, or understand complex new legislation.

Mr Evans said: “For these rights to be real, there must be free legal advice for people where rogue landlords break the rules and do not comply with the new Act.”

The introduction of the Renters Rights Act has also fuelled “no-fault eviction” notices just before the new law came into effect, with landlords seeking to regain possession before the law changed.

Mr Evans said: “Legal aid can make the difference between home and homelessness.

Oxford Renters’ Union marked the introduction of the Act with its first public campaign on May 1, calling on renters to challenge unfair rent increases through housing tribunals.

“Our research shows that despite growing demand for legal advice, the number of legal aid firms able to provide advice to families pushed from their homes has dwindled.”

READ MORE: Blue plaque unveiled in memory of baroness and campaigner

Oxford Renters’ Union launched on May 1 with a march through the city (Image: Oxford Renters’ Union)

The group campaigns against rent increases as Oxford remains one of the least affordable cities in the UK, with average house prices more than 15 times the average salary.

Around a third of private homes in the city are rented, compared to the national average of 20.5 per cent.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice said the Government “inherited a legal aid system under immense strain, which is why we are investing millions in housing legal aid”.

Charity Shelter described the Renters Rights Act as “a quantum leap forward in the fight for renters’ rights” and estimated it could protect more than 2,000 households a month from eviction without a legal reason.

The event was organised by the Friends of Launton Parish Hall near Bicester on Saturday, May 9, as part of its campaign to save its hall. 

The newest plans will see the installation of a new heating system, toilets and the rearrangement of the internal space to make it larger.

There are also plans to install solar panels on the roof and storage batteries to help power the heating.

Robert Cornford, chair of The Friends, said: “We are very pleased with the amount raised which will help fund the next stage of the project, being led by the Parish Council.”

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In 2025, a new roof, which cost around £65,000, was completed thanks to contributions the parish council and friends group, the Rural England Prosperity Fund and Section 106 developer funds.

Mr Cornford said:  “We have been very lucky to secure funding for the work from The FCC Communities Foundation, the National Lottery Community Fund, and the Doris Field Charitable Trust, as well as from our own fundraising events.”

At the fair, visitors enjoyed cakes, jams and plants, as well as a raffle, tombola, and refreshments.

A highlight of the event was the ‘Grow a Sunflower’ competition; results will be reported in September.

Launton Parish Hall is located on Bicester Road, next door to the village’s primary school.

The Friends of Launton Parish Hall will hold its annual general meeting on June 18, unless building work has begun.

The Oxford Blue Plaque Scheme celebrates everything from the invention of modern medicines to famous authors of the region.

There are hundreds of blue plaques for tourists and residents alike to find in Oxfordshire.

We have compiled a list of the top 10.

303 Woodstock Road with the blue plaque (Image: Stephanie Jenkins)

Baroness Lucy Faithfull

The baroness became the first blue plaque commemorated in 2026 this month, with a plaque adorning her home on Woodstock Road in Oxford, from 1958 until her passing in 1996.

The baroness was a social worker and champion of children’s rights. She was appointed by Oxford City Council in 1958 as one of the first children’s officers created by the Children Act of 1948, earning her nickname of ‘Mother to hundreds’.

(Image: Oxford Blue Plaque Board)

H.H Asquith

Henry Herbert Asquith was honoured with a blue plaque in 2012.

The Prime Minister from 1908 to 1916 lived in Sutton Courtenay from 1912 until his passing in 1928, and is buried in the churchyard of All Saints.

The former leader of the liberal party was also 1st Earl of Oxford and Asquith.

His government introduced ground-breaking welfare and constitutional advances, including the first ever old age state pension and the principle of national insurance contributions

(Image: Oxford Blue Plaque Board)

Iffley Road Track

The plaque was unveiled at the Oxford University Sports Ground on Iffley Road in May 2004 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the first sub-four minute mile ran.

Roger Bannister broke the four minute mile (Image: Bannister Miles)

Athlete Roger Bannister broke the record in May 1954 on the Iffley Road track running for the Amateur Athletics Association against Oxford University.

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Former Hitchman brewery, West Street, Chipping Norton (Image: Oxford Blue Plaque Board)

Revd Edward Stone

Revd Edward Stone was honoured with a blue plaque in 2003 in memory of his work discovering salicylic acid, the active ingredient in aspirin.

The plaque in Chipping Norton was unveiled where he previously lived at Hitchman Brewery, West Street.

(Image: Oxford Blue Plaque Board)

Oxford Park and Ride

In commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the first park and ride, the Oxford Civic Society unveiled the plaque in 2019.

Redbridge Park and Ride car park with a dedicated bus service opened in December 1973.

There had been earlier experiments in Oxford itself and in Nottingham and Leicester but the Redbridge Park and Ride was the first in the UK to be successfully sustained from its inception until the present day.

The plaque to commemorate the first treatment (Image: Oxford Blue Plaques Board)

Penicillin

A plaque unveiled in 2018 at the former outpatient building of the Radcliffe Infirmary is in celebration of the discovery and use of penicillin.

Now the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences University of Oxford, the building was the place where the first antibiotic was used to treat infection in 1941.

This followed the discovery of penicillin by Alexander Fleming in 1928, and work performed by Howard Florey and a team of scientists at the Sir William Dunn School of Pathology to make it a viable treatment.

A related blue plaque ceremony was held on the same day at the Sir William Dunn School of Pathology.

Tolkien lived with his family at 22 Northmoor Road from 1926 to 1930 and at 20 Northmoor Road (above) from 1930 to 1947. (Image: Oxford Blue Plaque Board)

J. R. R. Tolkein

The infamous author of Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit was educated at Exeter College, Oxford.

He returned to Oxford after service in the First World War, during which he wrote his first stories.

His blue plaque was unveiled by his daughter in 2002 at their former family home at 20 Northmoor Road.

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(Image: Oxford Blue Plaque Board)

Dame Agatha Christie

The ‘queen of crime’ famed for 66 detective novels was commemorated alongside her husband, archaeologist Sir Max Mallowan at their former home in Wallingford.

The plaque was unveiled by her grandson in 2010 at Winterbrook House, which is believed to have inspired the fictional village of St Mary Mead in her famed Miss Marple stories.

12 King Edward Street, where Ivy lived with her parents from 1887 to 1904 (Image: Oxford Blue Plaque Board)

Ivy Williams

The first woman to be called to the Bar of England and Wales had a plaque unveiled in her memory in 2020.

The plaque, at her former home on King Edward Street in the city, celebrates her role as a champion for women’s role in education.

C.S Lewis’s former home in Oxford with the blue plaque (Image: Oxford Blue Plaques Board)

C.S. Lewis

Famous author of the Chronicles of Narnia, Lewis was celebrated with a blue plaque in 2008.

The plaque is placed at his former home at The Kilns, in Lewis Close, Headington Quarry where he lived during his time as a fellow at Oxford University and even during his time as a professor at Cambridge University.