Vagrancy Act 1824 Repealed in England and Wales
UK Property News

Vagrancy Act 1824 Repealed in England and Wales

By Jordan Hale, Senior Lettings Editor · 2 July 2026 · 1 min read

Editor's note: This brief was summarised by The Property AI Newsroom from a report by Property118. Read the original article for full details.

Vagrancy Act 1824 Repealed in England and Wales

The government has announced that the Vagrancy Act 1824 will be repealed from today. The Act, which has been in place for nearly 200 years, made it a criminal offence to sleep rough or beg in England and Wales.

According to the government, repealing the Act is considered a vital step towards ending a system that has failed to address the issues of rough sleeping and begging. The announcement marks a significant change in how these matters will be handled by authorities moving forward.

For letting agents and inventory clerks, the repeal may have implications for how cases of rough sleeping and begging are managed in and around rental properties. The change in legislation could affect procedures related to property management and tenant interactions, particularly in urban areas where these issues are more prevalent.

Letting professionals are advised to stay informed about any further guidance or policy updates that may follow this legislative change.


Source: Property118
About the author
Jordan Hale
Senior Lettings Editor

Jordan Hale leads The Property AI's lettings coverage with a focus on UK rental legislation, agent compliance, and the day-to-day pressures facing letting agents. Articles bylined Jordan Hale combine current trade reporting with practical guidance for letting agents and inventory…

Specialises in: Renters' Rights Act, EPC regulations, tenancy deposit schemes, agent licensing, Right to Rent compliance.

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