Last updated: May 2026
Renters' Rights Act 2025 —
What Every UK Landlord Needs to Know
Track the provisions, understand your obligations, and get a personalised compliance checklist for your portfolio.
Filter:|
In Force
In ForceHigh PriorityFixed-term tenancies transition October 2026
Abolition of Section 21 (No-Fault Evictions)
Effective: December 2025
Landlords can no longer evict tenants without a valid ground. All tenancies are now periodic.
What landlords must do
- Review Section 8 mandatory and discretionary grounds for possession
- Update all tenancy agreements to periodic structure
- Brief your letting agent on the new process
- Seek legal advice before serving any notice to quit
In ForceHigh Priority
Periodic Tenancies Only — Fixed-Terms Abolished
Effective: December 2025
All new tenancies are periodic from day one. Fixed-term ASTs can no longer be granted.
What landlords must do
- Update your standard tenancy agreement — old AST templates are invalid
- Brief your letting agent immediately
- Understand all Section 8 grounds for possession
In ForceHigh Priority
Rent Increases — Once Per Year via Form 4 Only
Effective: December 2025
Landlords may only increase rent once every 12 months and must use the new Section 13 Form 4 notice.
What landlords must do
- Audit all properties for the date of last rent increase
- Only use Form 4 for all future increases
- Do not increase rent more than once per year
- Do not use rent increases as an indirect eviction mechanism
In ForceHigh PriorityExtended to the private rented sector
Awaab's Law — Mandatory Hazard Repair Timeframes
Effective: December 2025
Investigate damp and mould within 14 days, begin hazardous repairs within 7 days, emergency repairs within 24 hours.
What landlords must do
- Establish a documented maintenance reporting and response process
- Log all tenant reports with date and time
- Respond to all damp, mould, and hazard reports within 14 days
- Consider damp inspections for at-risk properties
In ForceMedium Priority
Rent Repayment Orders Extended to 2 Years
Effective: December 2025
Tenants can recover up to 2 years of rent if the landlord commits certain offences, including unlicensed HMO.
What landlords must do
- Ensure full HMO licensing compliance
- Never evict without proper Section 8 process
- Comply promptly with all improvement notices
- Maintain accurate records of all rent received and repairs
In ForceHigh Priority
Discriminatory Letting Prohibited
Effective: December 2025
It is a criminal offence to refuse to let to tenants on benefits (DSS) or with children.
What landlords must do
- Remove all 'No DSS' or 'No children' language from listings immediately
- Brief your letting agent
- Update any standard rejection criteria or application templates
In ForceMedium Priority
Pet Ownership — Unreasonable Refusal Prohibited
Effective: December 2025
Landlords cannot unreasonably refuse a tenant's written pet request. Landlords can require pet insurance.
What landlords must do
- Establish a written pet policy for each property
- Respond to all pet requests within 28 days
- Where approved, require pet insurance as a condition
- Document reasons for any refusal
Coming Soon
Coming SoonMonitorImplementation date to be confirmed
Decent Homes Standard Extended to Private Sector
Effective: Expected 2026–2027
The Decent Homes Standard (previously social housing only) will apply to all private rentals.
What landlords must do
- Monitor MHCLG for the implementation date
- Commission a condition survey for any at-risk properties
- No immediate legal obligation
Coming SoonMonitorFailure to register will be a criminal offence
National Property Portal — Mandatory Landlord Registration
Effective: Expected 2026–2027
All landlords must register on a new national Property Portal. Details of all rental properties must be listed.
What landlords must do
- No immediate action required
- Monitor for portal launch announcement
- Ensure all property records and compliance certificates are accurate
No Change
No ChangeNo ActionExisting rules unchanged
Tenancy Deposits — No Change
Deposits remain capped at 5 weeks' rent and must be protected in a government-approved scheme within 30 days.
What landlords must do
- Continue protecting deposits within 30 days
- Serve prescribed information promptly
- No process changes required as a result of the Act
Is your portfolio compliant?
Portfolio Pilot checks your properties against every Renters' Rights Act obligation and tells you exactly what to do.
Get your free compliance checkFree to start · No credit card · UK landlords only