Renters’ Rights Act 2025, What Landlords Need to Know and How We’re Preparing

Renters’ Rights Act 2025, What Landlords Need to Know and How We’re Preparing | 4-Minute Read

The Government has now published their plan for the Renters’ Rights Act 2025, setting out when each major change to the Private Rented Sector (PRS) will take effect.

For many landlords, the amendments may feel like a significant shift, especially with the end of Section 21, the introduction of new tenancy rules and changes to how possession grounds work. But we want to reassure you, we are already working hard to make sure you’re fully prepared long before the main commencement date of 1st May 2026. We’ll handle the changes, so you won’t have to.

Key milestones in the Government’s roadmap

From 27 December 2025:

• Local authorities receive new enforcement powers, ahead of the tenancy reforms coming into force.

From 1 May 2026:

• End of Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions.
• Assured Shorthold Tenancies (ASTs) abolished and replaced with open-ended periodic tenancies.
• Revised possession grounds for landlords, including strengthened grounds for rent arrears or anti-social behaviour.
• Rent increases limited to once per year, following updated notice requirements.
• Ban on rental bidding wars and requesting more than one month’s rent in advance.
• New rules preventing discrimination against families with children or tenants receiving benefits.
• Requirements around pet requests, including providing written reasons for refusals.

From late 2026 onwards

• A new national PRS Database and mandatory landlord registration.
• A new Private Rental Ombudsman for dispute resolution.
• Future phases (requiring secondary legislation) will introduce updated safety standards and a Decent Homes Standard for the PRS.

How we’re preparing on your behalf

We are already reviewing every area of our lettings and property management service to ensure full compliance. This includes:

• Updating tenancy agreements to reflect the new periodic tenancy structure.
• Preparing for tenant information requirements for tenancies that started before May 2026.
• Adjusting our rent review and notice procedures.
• Ensuring our processes follow the new rules on deposits, rent in advance and fair access for all applicants.
• Reviewing pet request handling and ensuring compliance with the new obligations.
• Preparing for mandatory registration and reporting once the PRS Database launches.
• We will ensure that all the legal and procedural changes are built into our service, giving our landlords complete peace of mind.

James Stefanie our Lettings Business Services Director says,

“It’s a bit of a relief to finally have a definitive date in the diary to work towards and to have some guidance from the government to inform us all the specific requirements that will need to be met.

We are now fully in motion, adjusting our business to the new requirements to make sure we help you keep ahead and thrive in a new era for the Private Rental Sector.

The commencement date of 1st May 2026 provides us with ample time to make the necessary adjustments and, with some of the new requirements following on later (some much later, requiring secondary legislation before coming into being), we are looking forward to embracing the challenges, changes and opportunities the Renters’ Rights Act will bring.”

What this means for our landlords

• You don’t need to navigate the legislation alone.
• We’ll ensure you remain compliant at every stage.
• You can continue to rely on us to protect your investment, your property and your peace of mind.

We’ll continue managing this transition for you and ensure everything is in place well before the new rules take effect. Our landlords can rely on us to guide them through.

If you have any additional questions, please contact us.

Source:

GOV.UK: “Implementing the Renters' Rights Act 2025: Our roadmap for reforming the Private Rented Sector”