The Renters Rights Bill has now become the Renters Rights Act 2025, having now received Royal Assent. Although this legislation has not yet come into force; it is set to introduce significant changes to the private rented sector, strengthening protections for tenants and promoting fairer practices across the board. As these reforms approach implementation, it is important that landlords, tenants, and letting agents understand how these changes will affect them. This article breaks down some of the key changes and what they will mean for those involved.
Abolition of section 21 “No fault” Evictions
The Act abolishes “no-fault” Section 21 evictions, ending the practice where landlords could evict tenants without having to provide a reason. This aims to strike a fairer balance between landlords and tenants; it gives tenants immediate security by ensuring the possession grounds are fair, while still allowing landlords to recover their property when reasonably required.
AST’s become periodic tenancies
The Renters Rights Act 2025 will abolish fixed-term and assured shorthold tenancies (ASTs), meaning that once the Act comes into force all existing ASTs will convert to periodic assured tenancies. This means that tenancy agreements will continue indefinitely until they are ended by either the tenant or the landlord. Under the new regime, tenants will be able to give two-months’ notice to end their tenancy at any time.
New Landlord Obligations: Registration on a private Rented sector database and an ombudsman
When this change comes into effect, landlords will be required to register with the new Private Rented Sector Database. The database is designed to help landlords better understand their legal obligations while also giving tenants access to reliable information, enabling them to make more informed decisions before entering a tenancy agreement.
The introduction of the ombudsman aims to provide fair, impartial resolution for tenant’s complaints about their landlord. This will give tenants a formal and accessible way to challenge unfair treatment, whilst at the same time, also protecting landlords by ensuring that disputes are investigated fairly, and decisions are based on objective standards of reasonableness. The ombudsman will encourage both parties to resolve issues early and transparently.
New standards: Awaab’s Law Requirements and Application of a Decent homes standard
All private rented homes must meet the Decent Homes Standard, meaning they are safe, well maintained, and free from serious hazards. Landlords are also required to comply with Awaab’s Law, which ensures they respond promptly to issues like damp and mould, keeping the property healthy and habitable for tenants.
Rent and terms: One rent increase per year without notice
The new law will give tenants significantly stronger protections. Rent increases will be limited to once a year, with landlords required to give at least two months’ notice before any change. Tenants will also have the right to challenge rent increases that exceed the market rate, while landlords will be restricted to requesting just one month’s rent in advance. This aims to reduce the risk of sudden and unaffordable rent increases for tenants.
Pets: A new default right for tenants to request pets, with limited refusal grounds
One of the most talked about reforms, concerns the right to keep pets in rented homes. Under the existing law, tenants have no automatic right to keep a pet. Most tenancy agreements include a “no-pet” clause allowing landlords to refuse pets for any reason. Once the Renters Rights Act 2025 comes into force a formal process will apply. Tenants will be able to request permission to keep a pet, and landlords will no longer be able to unreasonably refuse. A welcomed change for pet-owning tenants, whilst also protecting landlords as they will be able to request pet insurance to cover any damage to their property.
Whats next?
The schedule for implementing these provisions has not yet been determined. It is likely that implementation will be phased via commencement regulations. However, as the Act moves closer to coming into force, those who may be affected should begin preparing for the potential changes and their practical implications.
