With insufficient rent to make a profit or pay expensive property repairs, private landlords sold up as soon as a tenant moved out, as there were better investments elsewhere.

The reason the Landlord and Tenant Act was passed was in preparation for the privatisation of the housing associations (who had been deliberately excluded from the Right to Buy Scheme although they had 400,000 dwellings).

Section 5 requires this include the name and address of the landlord, the rent, terms and conditions of the contract, or matters prescribed by the Secretary of State in regulations.

Sections 8 to 10 state it is an implied contract term that the property will be fit for human habitation, which under section 10 includes the state of "repair, stability, freedom from damp, internal arrangement, natural lighting, ventilation, water supply, drainage and sanitary conveniences, facilities for preparation and cooking of food and for the disposal of waste water".

Sections 11 to 17 place mandatory duties on landlords to repair properties in leases under 7 years that are dwelling houses (where people live).

Sections 18 to 30 form the basis of the legal rights and responsibilities of English and Welsh leaseholders in respect of variable residential service charges.

Significant political discussion has revolved around the reintroduction of genuine rent regulation, to assure a legislative charter of tenants rights.