Renters Rights Act 2025: A landmark moment for the private rented sector

This landmark legislation introduces some of the most significant reforms to the rental market in decades, aiming to enhance tenant protections while fundamentally reshaping the responsibilities and rights of landlords.

Some of the key provisions include:

• Shift to Periodic Tenancies: Creating fixed-term assured shorthold tenancies will no longer be possible. Instead, new tenancies will be periodic from the outset and all existing assured tenancies, whether or not they have been granted for a fixed term, will automatically become periodic. The exact date on which this will happen remains unclear however it is anticipated it will be soon.
• Abolition of Section 21 ‘No-Fault’ Evictions: Landlords will now only be able to rely on an expanded set of Section 8 grounds to regain possession of properties let under the above tenancies. Section 21 Notices will be abolished. 
• Tenants can Terminate on 2 months' Notice: Tenants will be required to provide landlords with at least 2 months' notice to end a tenancy. The notice must expire at the end of a rent period and tenants do not need to give a reason for termination.
• Rent Increase Appeals: A revised statutory procedure for tenants to challenge above-market rent increases through the First-tier Tribunal.
• Decent Homes Standard: Private landlords will need to meet minimum housing standards, aligning with those already in place for social housing.
• Mandatory Landlord Registration: A national database will require landlords to register their properties, with penalties for non-compliance.
• Advertised Rent: Landlords and agents will be required to publish an asking rent when advertising a new assured periodic tenancy. It will be unlawful to accept offers made above the advertised rent.

While these reforms are designed to foster a fairer and more transparent rental market, they introduce substantial challenges for landlords, who will need to take action to ensure they comply with the Act. 

Implementation

While the provisions of the Act are now set, the Government has yet to confirm an implementation timeline. It is anticipated that the changes will be phased in, with some provisions expected to take effect sooner than others. It is also not clear at this stage how the Act will interact with existing legislation during this transition period. Although full implementation is likely by spring 2026, this remains uncertain, and we await further Government guidance to clarify when and how the Act will take full effect.

What You Should Do Next

The Act represents a seismic shift for landlords, tenants, and investors, with wide-reaching implications. Although the exact timing for the Act coming into effect remains unclear, it would be prudent for landlords and tenants who may be impacted by the changes to take legal advice at an early stage. In particular, landlords will need to be ready to comply with the new requirements.

We are closely monitoring developments with respect to the implementation of the Act.

For more information or advice, please contact Tom Davies and Ollie Humphries in our Property Litigation team.