Hi
Ref: Renters Rights Act 2025 -Reminder
Here’s a very brief summary of what parts of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 are coming into force in 2025 and in 2026 in England:
2025 — what’s already happened
The Renters’ Rights Act became law when it received Royal Assent on 27 October 2025. This means the Act exists as law, but most of its provisions are not yet in force. Only a small number of technical and preparatory parts come into force soon after Royal Assent and help set up the systems needed later.
Very limited parts, such as some local authority enforcement powers and preparatory measures, are scheduled to start late in December 2025.
2026 — major changes take effect
The main substantive changes of the Act come into force on 1 May 2026. These include:
- Ending fixed-term assured shorthold tenancies (ASTs) and replacing them with periodic assured tenancies.
- Abolishing “no-fault” Section 21 evictions, so landlords must use specific legal grounds to repossess.
- New rules on rent increases, including limits on frequency and notice requirements.
- Limits on how much rent can be charged in advance.
- Requirements for written tenancy agreements and banning rental bidding wars.
- New protections against discrimination (e.g., families, benefit recipients).
Later in 2026
Other parts, such as the private rented sector database and PRS landlord registration, are planned for late 2026 (after May).
In short:
2025 — Act becomes law; some preparatory measures start.
May 2026 — major tenancy reforms and tenant protections come into force.
Late 2026 — additional systems like landlord registration follow.
Below is a concise, landlord-focused list of the key rights and duties created by the Renters’ Rights Act 2025, stripped back to essentials.
Key tenant rights created
Tenants move to open-ended periodic tenancies with no fixed terms
Tenants gain protection from no-fault evictions following the abolition of Section 21
Tenants can challenge unfair rent increases through a formal process
Tenants are protected from rental bidding and excessive rent paid in advance
Tenants gain stronger rights to keep pets, subject to reasonable conditions
Tenants receive stronger protection from discrimination, including families and benefit recipients
Tenants benefit from improved enforcement through local authorities
Key landlord duties created
Landlords must use statutory possession grounds to recover property
Landlords must comply with stricter rent increase rules and notice requirements
Landlords must issue compliant written tenancy agreements
Landlords must meet strengthened property standards and ongoing compliance duties
Landlords become subject to enhanced local authority penalties and enforcement
Landlords must register and keep details updated on the new private rented sector database once live
Landlords must adapt management practices to operate under fully periodic tenancies
In practical terms
The Act shifts power towards tenants, removes speed and certainty from possession, and increases compliance risk for landlords. Preparation, documentation, and portfolio review are essential before the main provisions take effect in 2026.
Kind regards,
British Landlords Association
Peter Ross
Legal Team
01293 855700
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