The Renters' Rights Act 2025 signals a new era for the Landlords and Tenants
With sweeping reforms on the horizon for the private rented sector, staying ahead of legislative change has never been more important.
At Richard Reed Solicitors, property litigation specialists, Phil Moir, Kat Moody and Lewis Cassap are closely monitoring developments surrounding the Renters’ Rights Act 2025, providing practical guidance to landlords and agents preparing for a new regulatory framework that will fundamentally reshape residential tenancies.
Expected to come into force from 1 May 2026, the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 represents a substantial overhaul of the private rented sector, aiming to strengthen tenant protections while establishing clearer and more consistent rules for landlords.
Phil Moir, Director/Solicitor comments: “These reforms represent one of the most significant shifts in housing law in recent years. Landlords and agents will need to familiarise themselves with the new framework well in advance of implementation to ensure they remain compliant.”
One of the most significant structural changes introduced by the Act is the abolition of Assured Shorthold Tenancy agreements. Under the new system, fixed-term tenancies will be replaced by a single framework of periodic tenancies. This means that tenancies will no longer automatically end after a defined term but will instead continue on a rolling basis unless ended in accordance with the statutory rules.
Kat Moody, Associate Solicitor explains: “The move to periodic tenancies changes the dynamic of the landlord-tenant relationship. While it offers tenants greater security, it also means landlords must carefully understand the legal grounds available if they wish to regain possession.”
Removal of “No-Fault” Evictions
Landlords will no longer be able to regain possession of their property using Section 21 notices. Instead, they will need to rely on specific statutory grounds for possession, such as selling the property, moving into it themselves, or where tenants have breached the terms of the tenancy.
Lewis Cassap, Solicitor, highlights: “The removal of Section 21 will inevitably lead to greater reliance on the statutory possession grounds. Landlords should ensure they understand the updated notice requirements and evidential standards before commencing possession proceedings.”
In addition, there will be changes to Possession Procedures, updated notice rules and new conditions must be satisfied before the courts can grant a possession order. These reforms aim to ensure that possession claims are based on clearly defined legal grounds while improving transparency in the process.
The reforms also include a number of new measures designed to strengthen Tenant Protections and improve fairness within the rental market. These include limits on how and when rents may be increased, restrictions on advance rent payments, and measures intended to prevent rental bidding between prospective tenants.
Greater Regulation and Oversight
Alongside the tenancy reforms, the Act will introduce additional regulatory oversight. Local authorities are expected to receive stronger enforcement powers, and further initiatives are planned, including the creation of a Private Rented Sector Database and a new Landlord Ombudsman Scheme. These measures aim to improve compliance and raise standards across the sector.
Preparing for Implementation
Although the core provisions of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 are now in place, further guidance and secondary legislation are expected ahead of the anticipated implementation date of 1 May 2026.
The firms’ legal specialists urge that landlords and property professionals should continue to monitor developments and consider seeking professional advice to ensure they are fully prepared for the changes ahead.
Take a deeper dive into Richards Reeds Legally Sound Podcast S01 E01- The Housing Act & 2025 Renters Bill Explained – available across all platforms.
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