Renters' Rights Bill - Our Guide 

The Renters' Rights Bill aims to make renting more secure, affordable and fair. It introduces new rules regarding evictions, rent increases and tenant agreements, and introduces new regulations for landlords, provide tenants with greater protections while ensure landlords remain compliant.

Current projections expect the bill to become law around summer 2025, and when introduced will come into effect immediately. This means contracts signed before the bill is introduced will be subject to the new rules and regulations. 

No more Assured Shorthold Tenancy

• Fixed-Term Assured Shorthold Tenancies (ASTs) will be replaced with Assured Periodic Tenancies
• Tenancies will continue on a rolling basis until the tenant decides to leave or the landlord establishes grounds for possession
• Tenants will now have to give two months’ notice, while landlords will have to give tenants 4 months’ notice once they have provided legitimate grounds

Possession & Section 21

• Section 21 will be abolished
• This means landlords can no longer evict tenants without a valid reason
• New guidelines will specify acceptable reasons for eviction. These are expansive and will still enable a landlord to possess a property

Rental increase

• Landlords will now be required to serve a Section 13 notice to increase rent
• Rent increase clauses will now be prohibited
• Increases are limited to once per year and capped at market rate
• Tenants will be able to appeal proposed rental increases

Rent bidding and market value

• Landlords and agents will be banned from encouraging or accepting rent bids above the advertised price
• Tenants will still be able to offer below advertised price but landlords will not be obliged to accept

Consequences for breach

• The bill will introduce new consequences for landlords who breach the new rules
• Landlords in breach of the law may face enforcement action, including fines and potential bans from operating in the sector

Rent in advance

• Upfront rent payments will now be capped at one months’ rent
• Guarantors will become more important, particular for overseas tenants and those with insufficient credit history

New discrimination laws

• It will be illegal for landlords or agents to have blanket bans on renting to tenants receiving benefits, promoting fairer access to housing

Pets

• Tenants will have the right to request to keep a pet in the property, and landlords cannot unreasonably refuse
• Landlords can require pet insurance to cover potential property damages

Decent Homes Standard & Awaab's Law

• Rental properties must meet the minimum quality and safety criteria
• Local authorities will have increased power to enforce these standards

Landlord database, property portal and Ombudsman

• An independent ombudsman for the rental sector will resolve disputes between landlords and tenants, offering an alternative to court proceedings
• Landlords will now be required to join a property portal which will inform landlords of their legal obligations and assist tenants in making informed housing decisions