Renters’ Rights Act Soon To Take Effect 

The Renters’ Rights Bill received Royal Assent on 27 October 2025, introducing new legislation to strengthen the rights of private tenants in England. Having passed through Parliament, the Bill becomes the Renters’ Rights Act 2025, and the legislation will be brought into effect in stages. 

The Act is the most significant overhaul of the private rented sector in over 40 years, with a number of major changes that will help to provide greater protection and security to tenants in England. 

What are the main changes for tenants and landlords? 

Some of the first key changes will come into force on the 27^th December, with many more to follow. These include extended powers for local councils to investigate malpractice on the part of private landlords. They will be able to enter business or residential premises, and be allowed to request a range of information to make decisions, collating and having access to data from tenancy deposit schemes, council tax, CMP schemes and more.  

However, many of the major, landmark changes for landlords will come into force later – and a commencement date is yet to be announced. 

These changes include the abolishment of Section 21 “no fault” evictions and the end of fixed term tenancies, which will be replaced with periodic tenancies. The legislation is aimed at providing tenants with more security to settle in rented properties, while giving more flexibility to move out if their circumstances change. 

Another area the Act is tackling is unfair rents, with rent bidding wars becoming illegal and tenants will have the option to challenge unfair rent proposals through a First-tier Tribunal at no cost to the tenant. 

Ben Beadle, chief executive of the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA), said: “This is the most significant shake-up of the rental market in almost 40 years, and it is imperative that the new systems work for both tenants and responsible landlords.” 

What happens next? 

Commencement dates for the next stages of implementing the Act have not yet been announced but the abolishment of Section 21 and the introduction of the new periodic tenancy system could come into effect in early to mid-2026.