The Renters’ Rights Act 2025

The Renters’ Rights Act 2025, which received Royal Assent on October 27, 2025, is a major reform of private renting in England that bans Section 21 “no-fault” evictions and ends fixed-term tenancies. It also includes measures to ban blanket bans on pets, tenants with children, or those on benefits, and introduces requirements for landlords to join an ombudsman scheme.

Key measures introduced by the Act

• Abolition of Section 21 evictions – landlords must now rely on updated Section 8 grounds for possession.
• End of fixed-term tenancies – all new tenancies will be periodic, allowing tenants to leave with two months’ notice.
• Fairer rent rules – rent reviews limited to once annually, with tenants able to challenge excessive increases.
• Right to request pets – landlords cannot unreasonably refuse pet requests.
• Ban on rental bidding – properties must be listed at a fixed rent, preventing bidding wars.
• New rules on discrimination – landlords and agents can no longer refuse applicants with children or those receiving benefits.
• Decent Homes Standard – extended to the private sector to raise safety and living standards.
• Awaab’s Law – enforces strict repair timelines for issues such as damp and mould (14 days to investigate, seven days to fix, and 24 hours for emergencies).
• Private Rented Sector Ombudsman – offering an impartial, quick resolution process for tenant complaints.
• Private Rented Sector Database – a new national register to help landlords prove compliance and provide tenants with clear property information.

Implementation timeline

• December 27, 2025: New investigatory and enforcement powers for local authorities will commence.
• Early to Mid-2026 (anticipated): The main tenancy reforms, including the abolition of Section 21 evictions and the transition to periodic tenancies, are expected to be implemented.