Renters Rights Act

The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 introduces important reforms to improve fairness, security and transparency in the private rented sector. The Act ends “no-fault” evictions, establishes assured periodic tenancies and strengthens protections against unjust rent increases. These changes aim to provide greater stability for tenants while supporting responsible landlords, helping to create safer homes and stronger communities.

Landlords are strongly advised to familiarise themselves with these changes to ensure compliance and maintain positive relationships with their tenants.

For full details on what the Act means for renters and landlords, please visit the Government’s official guide.

Please see below with a brief summary of some of the changes created by the Act.

Timeline and key phases

• Royal Assent: 27 October 2025
• Phase 1 – New tenancy structure & eviction rules: implementation on 1 May 2026 (fixed-term ASTs to periodic; abolition of no-fault Section 21 evictions)
• Phase 2 – PRS Database & Ombudsman: due late 2026
• Phase 3 – Updated housing standards (Decent Homes & Awaab’s Law): staged into 2027–2037, implementation details yet to be finalised

Key changes under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025

• Ending Section 21 evictions and moving all assured tenancies to a periodic structure, giving tenants greater security and confidence to challenge poor practice or unfair rent increases.
• Fair possession grounds that balance tenant security with landlords’ ability to recover properties when reasonable, with safeguards to prevent misuse.
• Protection against backdoor evictions, allowing tenants to appeal excessive rent increases through an independent tribunal.
• A new Private Rented Sector Landlord Ombudsman for quick, impartial resolution of tenant complaints.
• A Private Rented Sector Database to help landlords understand obligations, demonstrate compliance and support informed choices for tenants.
• Strengthened rights to request pets, which landlords cannot unreasonably refuse.
• Applying the Decent Homes Standard and Awaab’s Law to the private rented sector, ensuring timely action on serious hazards and improving housing quality.
• Banning discrimination against tenants with children or in receipt of benefits.
• Ending rental bidding, making it illegal to accept offers above the advertised rent.
• Enhanced enforcement powers for local authorities, including stronger penalties and reporting requirements.
• Expanded rent repayment orders, with tougher penalties for repeat offenders.

For full details, visit the Government’s official guide.

Information for Landlords and Letting Agents

The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 introduces significant changes that landlords and letting agents must understand to remain compliant. These include new tenancy structures, fair possession grounds, rent increase rules, and strengthened enforcement measures.

For full details, please refer to the Government’s official guidance:

These resources provide practical advice on tenancy agreements, rent regulations, anti-discrimination requirements, pet requests, property standards and compliance obligations.

Download the Landlord Compliance Checklist

To help landlords prepare for these changes, we’ve provided a practical checklist covering key steps for compliance, from tenancy reforms to property standards and record-keeping.

Download the Renters’ Rights Act Landlord Checklist (PDF)

Please note: This checklist is for guidance only and does not replace the official Government regulations. Landlords should always refer to the latest statutory requirements and official guidance on GOV.UK.