Renters' Rights Act 2025
What is the Renters' Rights Act 2025?
The Renters' Rights Act became law in October 2025 and will see major changes for tenants and landlords in the UK, including the abolishment of 'no fault/reason' (Section 21) evictions, ending fixed-term tenancies for periodic ones, banning rental bidding wars, and introducing new standards for property quality and landlord accountability, with changes rolling out from 1st May 2026.
What are the key changes?
- Abolition of 'no fault/ reason' evictions: landlords can no longer evict tenants using Section 21 notices. They must have valid grounds under Section 8, such as selling the property or significant rent arrears.
- End of fixed-term tenancies: all tenancies become periodic (rolling), giving tenants more flexibility to end them with two months' notice.
- Fairer rent increases: rent can only be increased once-a-year with proper notice (Section 13), and landlords must advertise at the true price, banning bidding wars.
- Anti-discrimination: it's illegal to refuse benefits recipients or families with children, with potential fines for landlords.
- New property standards: the introduction of the Decent Homes Standard, which applies Awaab's Law to the private sector for addressing damp and mould.
- Landlord accountability: mandatory registration for all landlords and properties via a new PRS database and a new ombudsman.
How will the new legislation be enforced?
The government is providing local councils with a range of new investigatory powers which will allow the new reforms to be enforced.
Initial or minor non-compliance will incur a civil penalty of up to £7,000 and serious, persistent or repeat non-compliance a civil penalty of up to £40,000, with the alternative of a criminal prosecution.
Our private sector housing team is also gearing up for the changes to legislation, investigating new matters of concern, and ensuring that the new law is adhered to. We will carry out enforcement action fairly but firmly, in line with our enforcement policy.
Where can I find out more?
We are planning to host an in-person information workshop with landlords in Adur and Worthing to help you get ready for the new legislation.
In the meantime there are plenty of online resources where you can find out what the changes mean for you:
- A booklet published by the government's Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has details about the act and sets out the timeline for when the various phases will be implemented:
- A more detailed guide from MHCLG and some FAQs can be found here:
- The National Residential Landlord Association (NRLA) has some useful advice and resources for landlords available (but please be aware that certain elements of their website are accessible by members only):
- The national housing charity Shelter also has some advice on its website which is useful for tenants and landlords alike:
If you need to contact the private sector housing team or make a housing condition complaint, see:
Need assistance with this service?
Get in touch:
Private Sector Housing Team
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Page last updated: 27 January 2026