The Renters’ Rights legislation received Royal Assent on the 27th October 2025, formally becoming law. However, most provisions will not take effect immediately. The UK Government must first introduce secondary regulations that set out the detailed rules for how each element will operate in practice.
To date, only one commencement date has been confirmed: from 27 December 2025, local housing authorities will gain enhanced investigatory powers.
The implementation timetable for the remaining reforms has not yet been published. In his final remarks on the Bill in the House of Commons, Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook MP reiterated that the Government intends to provide sufficient lead-in time and work closely with the sector on when provisions will commence.
The Government has previously indicated that the move to periodic tenancies will take place in a single phase, potentially as soon as three months after Royal Assent. This reform will apply across the private rented sector: all existing tenancies will automatically transition to the new periodic model, and any new agreements granted on or after the commencement date will be governed by the updated framework.
The key changes that the legislation brings that landlords need to be aware of are:
- ASTs become periodic tenancies
- New tenancy structure
- Clearer grounds for termination and limits on ‘no-fault’ evictions
- New rules on rent increases
- Restrictions on rent bidding
- Greater rights for tenants to keep pets
- New anti-discrimination measures
- New standards for private rented homes
- New landlord registration and redress requirements
- Expanded local authority powers for enforcement
For help or guidance on your rental property give the team a call to discuss your queries on 01325 728084.
