Renters' Rights Act 2025

Section 21 evictions will be abolished, and landlords will no longer be able to evict tenants without a specific reason. Possession will only be granted under legally defined grounds, such as selling the property, moving yourself or a close family member into the property, or tenant rent arrears or anti-social behaviour. All tenancies will become periodic or rolling contracts.

How to prepare for the end of no-fault evictions

• Familiarise yourself with the new possession grounds - understand when and how you can lawfully regain possession.
• Keep clear records if you plan to sell, refurbish, or move into a property to support any future possession claims.
• Improve tenant communication - a strong landlord-tenant relationship will help reduce disputes over possession

Rent increases will be limited to once per year. Landlords must give tenants at least two months’ notice of a rent increase. Tenants will have the right to challenge unfair rent hikes through a tribunal. Only one months’ rent in advance can be requested once any tenancy agreement has been signed, and before the tenancy commencement date.

How to prepare for new rules on increasing rent

• Set up a rent review calendar - plan rent adjustments in a structured way.
• Ensure rent increases are based on market conditions to avoid disputes.

The new law bans discrimination against tenants on benefits or with children. Tenant selection must be fair and transparent, based only on financial suitability.

How to prepare for stronger protections for tenants

• Review your tenant screening process - ensure it complies with non-discrimination rules.
• Focus only on affordability, references, and credit history when assessing applications.
• Remove any outdated policies that might unintentionally exclude certain groups.
• If you are using an agent, ensure they are following the guidance on your behalf.

The Renters’ Rights Act will remove fixed-term assured tenancies. All tenancies will be periodic, with tenants able to stay in their home until they decide to end the tenancy by giving two months’ notice.

Tenants will have the right to request a pet, and landlords cannot unreasonably refuse.

How to prepare the right to request a pet, and landlords cannot unreasonably refuse.

• Create a fair and transparent pet policy, balancing tenant need, property upkeep and property suitability

Landlords and their letting agents must legally give this information to every tenant named on the tenancy agreement by 31 May 2026, or you could be fined up to £7,000. Landlords can give this information to tenants as a hard copy or attached electronically as a PDF to an email (including the link to the PDF via an email or text to the tenant will not be valid). This guidance is designed to help private landlords and letting agents in England understand what they need to do.

You must give this Information Sheet if the tenancy:

• is an assured or assured shorthold tenancy
• was created before 1 May 2026
• has a wholly or partly written record of terms (including a written tenancy agreement)

The Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet 2026 is available on the GOV.​UK website.

All landlords must register their properties on a new national Private Rented Sector database. This aims to improve transparency and enforcement in the rental market.

How to prepare for the new database

• Gather essential documents ahead of time, including the Gas Safety Certificate, the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) and Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR).
• Ensure your records are up to date, as missing documents could lead to compliance issues.
• Ensure all your property certificates and documents are easily accessible and in one central place.
• Ensure you have a robust system in place to ensure you do not miss any key deadlines.

A Private Rented Sector Landlord Ombudsman will handle disputes between landlords and tenants. The Ombudsman’s decisions will be legally binding. All landlords must register with the scheme.

How to prepare for the new Ombudsman Scheme:

• sign up for the Ombudsman Scheme as soon as it’s available - it will be mandatory.
• keep detailed records of maintenance requests and tenant interactions to help resolve disputes.
• focus on clear communication with tenants to prevent conflicts before they escalate.
• ensure you keep up to date on the latest developments by registering with Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s Landlord e-newsletter

For the first time, private landlords must meet the Decent Homes Standard, ensuring properties are safe and well-maintained, fit for human habitation, free from serious hazards such as damp, faulty wiring, or poor insulation. Awaab’s Law which will be extended to the private rented sector, requiring landlords to address damp and mould and serious issues within set timescales. Find out more about Awaab’s Law to force landlords to fix dangerous homes.

How to prepare to meet the new standards:

• conduct an inspection, either yourself or with a professional, to identify and fix potential hazards
• budget for necessary repairs, as non-compliance could lead to fines
• respond to tenant repair requests promptly, ensuring you meet the new legal time frames
• ensure you have a clear process in place for communicating with your tenants
• ensure your tenants know how to contact you should they have a problem
• make clear plans for when you go on holiday or have any unexpected absences