Renters' Rights Act 2025

Section 21 'no fault' evictions will be abolished

Landlords will no longer be able to use Section 21 of the Housing Act 1988 to evict tenants.

Reformed possession grounds will be fairer for both tenants and landlords. Landlords can only evict tenants when they have a specific, legally valid reason. This is also known as a 'possession ground'.

Possession grounds will be extended to make it easier for landlords to evict tenants when they want to sell the property, move into the property, or move in members of their family. The changes will also make it easier to evict tenants who commit anti-social behaviour.

Fixed-term tenancies will be banned

Most new and existing tenancies in the private rented sector will become assured periodic tenancies, or 'rolling tenancies'. This means renters will be able to stay in the property until they end the tenancy, or until a landlord serves a valid notice to end it or obtains a court or possession order.

Renters will be able to end the tenancy at any point by giving two months' notice.

How to prepare

• Understand the new legal grounds for possession
• Keep clear records if there is a plan to sell, refurbish, or move in
• Communicate openly with tenants to reduce disputes

Rent increases are limited to once per year

Landlords will have to follow the new legal process for increasing the rent. This will include providing the tenant with notice and detailing the proposed rent increase at least two months before the increase is due to take effect.

Rental bidding will be banned

Landlords will have to include a specific price on any written property advertisements and will not be allowed to ask for, encourage, or accept an offer that is higher.

How to prepare:

• Create a rent review calendar
• Base increases on market conditions
• Keep records of rent changes and justifications
• Get to know your market and do your research

Landlords will need to make sure they have understood the new rules for tenancy agreements. They will need to make sure that they provide tenants written information about the terms of their tenancy.

Tenancies that start before 1 May 2026

Landlords will not need to change or re-issue any existing written tenancy agreements. Instead, they will need to send tenants a government-produced information sheet before 31 May 2026. An information sheet will be published in March 2026.

Tenancies that start on or after 1 May 2026

Landlords will need to provide tenants with certain information about the tenancy in writing. This could be in a tenancy agreement. In January 2026, details will be published on what information must be included to give landlords enough time to prepare a tenancy agreement template.

How to prepare:

• Review all current tenancy agreements
• Be prepared to issue the new information sheet when it is published in March 2026
• Keep up to date through the GOV.UK website

Landlords will not be able to do anything to make a tenant less likely to rent a property, or prevent them from renting it, because they have children or receive benefits.

This includes withholding information about a property, such as its availability, preventing them from viewing it, and refusing to grant a tenancy.

How to prepare:

• Review your screening process
• Focus on affordability, references, and credit history
• Remove outdated or exclusionary policies
• Make sure agents follow the same standards

Landlords will have to consider and respond to tenant's requests within a set timeframe and will have to provide valid reasons if they choose to refuse it.

How to prepare:

• Develop a fair pet policy
• Consider property suitability and maintenance needs