The Renters Rights Act 2025 – implementation announced

The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 has now had its implementation timetable announced.  This will be a major change for the residential tenancy market.  To help you plan ahead we will be re-publishing our Renters’ Rights Act Minibook, updated with the latest changes to the Act and full details on its implementation. 

The Government has now released Implementing the Renters' Rights Act 2025: Our roadmap for reforming the Private Rented Sector - GOV.UK  

• On 27 December 2025 the new local enforcement measures and investigatory powers for local authorities will go live
• On 1 May 2026 the first phase of measures of the Act will be implemented
• Late 2026 will see the rental database go live for local authorities and landlords
• In 2027 the reforms will be extended to the social housing sector
• In 2028 mandatory registration for landlords to join the ombudsman scheme will be introduced.

The measures being introduced on 1 May 2026:

On 1 May 2026, the Government will implement phase 1 of the Act:

• Section 21 notices (no-fault notices) will be abolished
• The default residential letting position will be an assured tenancy and any assured shorthold tenancies will automatically convert to an assured tenancy
• New grounds for possession and changes to existing grounds
• New rent review provisions
• Ban on rental bidding
• New limits on the amount of rent payable in advance
• Anti-discrimination measures in respect of families and those receiving benefits
• Right for a tenant to request a pet
• Expanded civil penalties that can be enforced by a local authority.

Further parts of the Act will be implemented after that.

Keep an eye out for our updated Renters’ Rights Act Minibook, published shortly. 

To help you plan ahead we will be re-publishing our Renters’ Rights Act Minibook, updated with the latest changes to the Act and full details on its implementation.