The Renters' Rights Act 2025 introduces the biggest shake up of the private rented sector in years - reforming tenancy agreements, increasing landlord responsibilities and changing possession procedures for landlords.  

What Are the Key Reforms Under The Act?

• All tenancies will become periodic, giving tenants greater security and flexibility. Abolishment of Fixed-Term Tenancies summarises the changes, impact on landlords and implementation of these changes.
• Landlords will no longer be able to evict tenants using Section 21 Notices. End of ‘No Fault’ Evictions – Section 21 Notices details the termination of Section 21 Notices which will be replaced by the extended application of Section 8  - Strengthened Section 8 Grounds. 
• Rent Review Process: What’s changing. Rent increases will be permitted once a yearly using a formal Section 13 Notice. Tenants can already challenge rent increases at the First Tier Tribunal, however under the Bill, the Tribunal cannot backdate decisions and may defer rent increases by up to two months in cases of hardship.  
• Standards regarding damp and mould will be raised with the introduction of Awaabs Law and the Decent Homes Standard requiring stricter obligations on property condition and stricter compliance. This is likely to be brought in 2026/2027 as secondary legislation will be required. 
• There will be a ban on bidding wars.
• Landlords cannot request  upfront rental payments. 
• Landlords will no longer be permitted to refuse tenants based on  them receiving  benefits or family status. Additionally, landlords must consider tenant requests to keep pets and cannot unreasonably refuse. Pets in Rental Properties: Changes Under the Renters Rights Bill explores the proposed changes relating to pet requests in rental properties. 
• All landlords will be required to register with a central database through local authorities.  This registration will be mandatory and a property cannot be let nor can a landlord  apply for possession of the property unless registered. 
• There will be a new Ombudsman to support resolution of landlord-tenant disputes. 
• Local authorities will have more powers in relation to investigation and enforcement of housing law compliance. 

Do These Changes Impact Welsh Landlords?

Some of the changes will impact Welsh landlords, more information can be found here.

Implementation Date Confirmed

The government has released its official implementation roadmap for implementing the Act, outlining when the major reforms will take effect.  

• Phase 1: From 1st May 2026 key reforms come into force, including the abolition of fixed term tenancies, section 21 notices, rental bidding, rent in advance, discrimination against tenants on benefits or with families .
• Phase 2: In late 2026  the launch of the Private Rented Sector Database and Landlord Property Ombudsman.  
• Phase 3: Likely 2035 as secondary legislation will be required to extend Awaab's Law and the Decent Homes Standard into the private rented sector. 

Please view the all the Renters Rights Act 2025 information below:

• Abolishment of Fixed-Term Tenancies
• End of S.21 ‘No Fault’ Evictions
• Strengthened Section 8 Grounds
• Rent Increases: What’s Changing Under The Renters' Rights Act
• Awaabs Law and The Decent Homes Standard under The Renters' Rights Act
• Tenants Requests For Keeping A Pet In A Residential Tenancy
• Landlord Database and Legal Ombudsman
• Rental Bidding Ban under The Renters’ Rights Act
• Advance Rent Payments Banned under The Renters’ Rights Act 2025
• Increased Local Authority Powers under Renters' Rights Act
• Wales And The Renters' Rights Act: What Welsh Landlords Need To Know