Renters' Rights Act 2025
A guide for landlords on the key changes and what they mean for you and your tenants.
Important Notice
The Renters' Rights Act received Royal Assent on 27 October 2025. Many measures have not yet come into force. The government will publish a separate timeline for implementation. We'll keep this page updated as new information becomes available.
What's Changing?
The Act transforms the private rented sector, ending Section 21 'no fault' evictions and introducing new protections for both tenants and landlords.
Section 21 Abolished
No-fault evictions are ending. All assured tenancies will become periodic, giving tenants greater security while landlords retain clear possession grounds.
Periodic Tenancies Only
Fixed-term tenancies are being removed. Tenants can stay until they give 2 months' notice, providing flexibility for both parties.
New Possession Grounds
Landlords can still recover properties for legitimate reasons including selling, moving in, rent arrears (3+ months), or antisocial behaviour.
Private Rented Sector Database
All landlords must register on a new database to demonstrate compliance and use certain possession grounds.
Decent Homes Standard
The Decent Homes Standard will apply to private rentals, ensuring safer, better quality homes for tenants.
Pets Allowed
Tenants have strengthened rights to request pets. Landlords cannot unreasonably refuse and can require pet insurance.
Landlord Possession Rights
While Section 21 is being abolished, landlords retain clear grounds to recover their property when there's good reason.
Possession for Sale or Moving In
- 12-month protected period at start of tenancy
- 4 months' notice required
- Cannot re-let for 12 months after using these grounds
Rent Arrears
- Mandatory ground increased to 3 months' arrears (from 2)
- 4 weeks' notice required (from 2 weeks)
- Discretionary grounds still available for repeated late payment
Antisocial Behaviour
- Can serve notice at any point in tenancy
- No database registration required for this ground
- Court must award possession if ground is proven
Rent Increases
- Once per year to market rate
- 2 months' notice via Section 13
- Tenants can challenge at Tribunal (won't pay more than landlord asked)
Other Key Measures
Private Rented Sector Landlord Ombudsman
All private landlords must join the new Ombudsman service. It will provide free, impartial resolution for tenant complaints and can compel landlords to apologise, take remedial action, or pay compensation. Failure to join can result in penalties up to £40,000.
No Rental Discrimination
It will be illegal for landlords and agents to discriminate against prospective tenants in receipt of benefits or with children.
Rental Bidding Banned
Landlords and agents must publish an asking rent and cannot ask for or accept offers above this rate.
Awaab's Law
Clear legal timeframes for landlords to take action on serious hazards, ensuring homes are made safe promptly.
Implementation Timeline
Royal Assent
27 October 2025
Implementation timeline published
Coming soon
New tenancy system comes into force
TBC
PRS Database launches
TBC
Ombudsman service launches
TBC
The new tenancy system will apply to all private tenancies on a single date. Existing tenancies will convert automatically.
Read the full government guideNeed Help Understanding the Changes?
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