As some of you may have seen in the news today, the Renters' Rights Act 2025 will be implemented across three stages, with the first to come into force on 1 May 2026, with the tenancy reform measures, that will apply to existing and new tenancies from this date.
The tenancy reform measures include:
- Periodic Tenancies - Assured Shorthold Tenancies will become Assured Periodic Tenancies, all tenancies will become periodic, even if they are still in a fixed-term contract. This will mean tenants will be able to live in the property until the landlord serves a valid notice under section 8. Tenants will be able to end the tenancy by giving two months' notice to end on the last day of a rental period.
- Section 21 Abolished - Landlords will no longer be able to use section 21 of the Housing Act 1988 to recover possession.
- Cap on rent in advance -Landlords or agents will not be able to request more than one month's rent in advance.
- Anti-discrimination measures - It will become unlawful to discriminate against applicants or tenants because they have children or because they receive benefits
- Ban on rental bidding - Landlords and agents will not be allowed to ask for, encourage or accept more than the advertised rent.
- Annual rent increases via section 13 notices - Rent increases will be limited to once every 12 months, using the revised section 13 procedure. Landlords will need to give at least two months' notice of any increase.
- Tenant's rights to request a pet - Tenants will have a formal right to request to keep a pet. Landlords must consider the request and respond within 28 days, and if they refuse, they will need to give valid reasons.
Phase two is expected from late 2026 and will include:
- Roll-out of the PRS Database (mandatory landlord registration with an annual fee)
- Establishment of the PRS Landlord Ombudsman
Phase three will follow later, with timing still to be confirmed, and will include:
- Extension of Awaab's Law to the PRS
- Introduction of a Decent Homes Standard for the PRS.
You can find the Government's implementation roadmap here:-https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6915beb8bc34c86ce4e6e730/Implementing_Renters_Rights_Act_2025_-_roadmap.pdf
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