Renters' Rights Act 2025: A Guide for Landlords

All tenancies are set to become periodic with Assured Tenancies replacing ASTs.

New tenancies in the PRS created on or after 1 May 2026 – landlords will need to provide tenants with certain information about the tenancy in writing. This could be through a written tenancy agreement. Details of required information will be outlined in secondary legislation and a draft of this information will be published in January 2026, so landlords/agents can prepare.

If an existing tenancy already has a written tenancy agreement, landlords will not need to change it or issue a new one. Landlords with existing tenancies will need to provide tenants with a government published ‘Information Sheet’ by 31 May 2026. This document will inform tenants about the changes made by the RRA. This will be published in March 2026.

Tenants will be required to provide two months’ notice to end their tenancy.

Notice can be served at any time by the tenant but the end date of the tenancy must align with the end of a rent period.

Shorter terms can be agreed, and notice can be withdrawn if agreed by both tenant and landlord.

Section 8 notices will be served to evict tenants and supporting evidence required for certain grounds.

More difficult to evict anti-social tenants, but this is rarely an issue with our tenants.

Some grounds require four months’ notice from landlords (e.g. landlord needs property to live in or sell), but cannot be served within first 12 months ‘protected period’ of the tenancy, and property cannot be relet within following 12 months.

Landlords and letting agents will not be able to do anything to make a tenant less likely to rent a property, or prevent them from renting a property, because they have children or receive benefits. Affordability checks via referencing will still apply.

Acceptable to have preferred applicant if several offers received or property unsuitable for tenants with children (e.g. one bedroom flat), but landlord/agent must be able to defend any challenge.

Examples of reasonable reasons to refuse include; head lease forbids pets, property generally unsuitable for pets, other tenants within house share allergic, or pets with history of poor behaviour or noise.

Tenants must submit pet requests in writing and provide a description – agent/landlord to respond within 28 days.

Tenants could appeal refusal to redress scheme if considered unreasonable – we can provide guidance in this instance.

Unable to accept offers of higher rent than advertised to avoid bidding between tenants.

Our rents are fair and based on market conditions and comparable properties – extensive knowledge and experience of the market ensures that rent is set correctly at outset of marketing.

Landlords and agents will not be able to request more than one month’s rent in advance.

Tenants are free to pay prior to the rent due date should they wish to, but a landlord will not be able to require a tenant to pay rent before it is due.

Once enacted, the RRA will amend the Tenant Fees Act 2019 to prohibit landlords/agents from requiring or accepting any payment of rent in advance of the tenancy being entered into.

Only annual changes permitted (as per our current terms).

Section 13 notices required (as currently used if not agreed at point of renewal). Statutory notice period increased to two months.

Tenants can challenge rent increases via first tier tribunal, which is not a concern as our Valuer or Business Manager ensure all rental increases are fair and reflective of current market conditions before recommending to landlords.

Three months/13 weeks arrears required before Section 8 notice can be served.

Four week notice period.

The Ombudsman will provide a redress service for PRS tenants, providing impartial and binding resolutions for tenant’s complaints about their landlords.

It will also support landlords with tools, guidance, and training on handling complaints from tenants early.

The Ombudsman Scheme will be mandatory for PRS landlords whether they use a managing agent or not. Landlords will be required to fund the service through a fair and proportionate charging model (confirmed closer to launch). The service will be free for tenants.

There will be penalties for landlords who do not join the scheme. This is expected from late 2026-2028.

Regulations will mandate landlord registration, payment of a fee, and the provision of key information about landlords.

Unique landlord identifier to be included within property adverts.

Entries to include details of any enforcement actions and records of gas safety checks and EICR’s expected to be included. Fees not yet confirmed.

Landlords expected to sign up even if using a managing agent.

Phase 3 will focus on raising standards through the extension of Awaab’s Law and a modernised Decent Homes Standard to the PRS.

The timescales for implementing these changes will be subject to consultation (suggested 2035/2037).

Landlords required to deal with serious hazards within specified timescales.

Tenants can complain to redress scheme.

We are grateful that so many of our landlords provide safe, secure homes for great tenants and we will continue working with landlords to make the lettings process as straightforward as possible.

Landlords exiting the sector over the last few years has created a shortage of quality homes for our tenants.

Increased rent levels likely to continue with introduction of RRA, potentially boosting landlord’s investment return.