Introduction to the Renters Rights Act
The Renters’ Rights Bill cleared UK parliament on 22 October 2025, and received Royal Assent on 27 October 2025, becoming the Renters’ Rights Act 2025. This marks the most significant transformation of private renting in England in decades, promising a fairer and more secure future for the nation’s 4.6 million tenanted householders and 2.7 million landlords. This landmark legislation abolishes Section 21 “no fault” evictions.
At its core, the Act introduces significant reforms that aim to rebalance the relationship between tenants and landlords. It replaces fixed-term tenancies with a single, rolling periodic structure, empowers renters to challenge poor conditions and excessive rent increases without fear of eviction, and strengthens routes for legitimate possession to protect the interests of responsible landlords. New protections also extend to vulnerable groups, with measures to prevent discrimination based on children or benefits, tighter regulation and enforcement powers for local authorities, and the introduction of the Decent Homes Standard into the private rented sector.
For landlords, the changes demand proactive adaptation and strict compliance. Registration on a new Private Rented Sector Database will be mandatory, and a dedicated Ombudsman will oversee disputes, enforce best practice, and ensure swift, fair resolution for both sides. Possession grounds will now require robust evidence, longer notice periods, and adherence to deposit protection rules. All landlords must stay fully informed and prepared as implementation is phased in. Missing statutory requirements or failing to meet updated standards could risk enforcement or loss of the right to regain possession.
The Renters’ Rights Act sets bold new expectations for the sector. It is essential for every landlord to understand not only the legal implications, but the practical steps for compliance and the broader impact these changes will have on rental relationships across England.
Timeline of the Renters Rights Bill
Here is an extensive, timeline of the key steps and milestones for the UK Renters’ Rights Bill up to the date the Bill received Royal Assent where it became the Renters Rights Act:
Anticipated next steps
The new tenancy landscape
Property standards and compliance
The Decent Homes Standard in the Private Rented Sector (PRS)
Compliance with the new statutory Decent Homes Standard for PRS properties. This section provides detail on the four key categories (state of repair, heating/insulation, facilities, and safe/healthy) and practical steps for UK landlords to ensure their properties meet the new legal minimum.
The Private Rental Sector (PRS) Database with mandatory registration
This area is about understanding the forthcoming mandatory registration of landlords and their properties on the new national Private Rental Sector (PRS) Database. It outlines who needs to register, when the rollout is likely to be phased, the prohibition on marketing and letting unregistered properties and the fines for non-compliance.
Joining the Landlord Ombudsman and redress scheme obligations
We explain the mandatory requirement for all private landlords to join a single, independent Private Rented Sector Ombudsman.
It describes the complaint process, the types of complaints covered (e.g. property standards, unfair eviction threats), and the Ombudsman's binding powers to award compensation or require remedial action.
Tenant relations, screening and financial management
Banning discrimination, covering no DSS, Children, and Fair Housing
Here we explain the new prohibitions on discrimination against prospective tenants based on having children or receiving benefits (e.g. 'No DSS' bans). We provide practical advice on how to screen tenants lawfully using criteria related to affordability, references, and conduct while avoiding prohibited discrimination.
Handling rent arrears with new rules and shifting timelines
This topic covers guidance on the increased threshold for mandatory eviction for rent arrears from 2 to 3 months and the doubled notice period from 2 to 4 weeks. It offers a proactive arrears management strategy, focusing on early intervention, communication and applying for possession using the revised grounds.
The ban on rental bidding and upfront rent limits
We cover complying with rules against soliciting offers above the advertised rent and limiting rent in advance to a maximum of one month's rent in addition to the deposit. We outline clear dos and don'ts for marketing properties and taking initial payments.
Strategic considerations for the UK landlords
This is a high-level overview of the strategic impact for UK landlords. Here we discuss factors like potential increased void periods due to longer notice for sale/move-in, the need for a higher maintenance budget for Decent Homes compliance. We also cover assessing whether to sell low-quality stock or invest in upgrades.
