Renters' Rights Act 2025: Complete Overview
Everything tenants and landlords need to know about the biggest reform of the private rented sector in England in a generation.
ਸੰਖੇਪ ਜਾਣਕਾਰੀ
The Renters' Rights Act 2025 (RRA 2025) received Royal Assent on 27 March 2025 and is the most significant overhaul of the private rented sector (PRS) in England since the Housing Act 1988. It abolishes Section 21 'no-fault' evictions, converts assured shorthold tenancies (ASTs) into open-ended assured tenancies, creates a new Landlord Ombudsman and Private Rented Property Database, extends Awaab's Law to private renting, restricts rent increases to once per year, and bans discrimination against tenants with children or in receipt of benefits. This is England-only legislation — Wales has its own Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016, Scotland operates under the Private Housing (Tenancies) (Scotland) Act 2016, and Northern Ireland's Private Tenancies Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 governs there. Most provisions of the RRA 2025 commence in 2026 once secondary regulations are made; the abolition of Section 21 for new tenancies is expected to be among the earliest commencements.
ਇਹ ਪ੍ਰਕਿਰਿਆ ਕੌਣ ਵਰਤ ਸਕਦਾ ਹੈ
- Applies to private landlords letting residential property in England
- Applies to private tenants under assured tenancies (and converted ASTs)
- Most provisions also apply to private registered providers of social housing (housing associations) and Awaab's Law in particular
- Does NOT change the position for social housing tenants under secure or introductory tenancies
ਕਦਮ-ਦਰ-ਕਦਮ ਪ੍ਰਕਿਰਿਆ
Section 21 abolished — Section 8 grounds only
Once commenced, landlords can no longer end an assured tenancy without citing a statutory ground in Schedule 2 of the Housing Act 1988. New mandatory and discretionary grounds are added (notably Ground 1A: selling, and Ground 1B: moving in/family). Section 21 notices that have not led to a court order before commencement become void. Existing pending court proceedings are unaffected.
Assured shorthold tenancies converted
All ASTs (new and existing) become open-ended assured tenancies on the commencement date. Fixed-term tenancies cannot be granted; periodic tenancies become the default. Tenants can end the tenancy by giving two months' notice in writing at any time.
Rent increases restricted
Landlords can only increase rent once per year, using a prescribed form notice (replacing the s.13 process). Tenants can challenge any increase before the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber), which can determine the open market rent — the increase cannot exceed that rent.
New Landlord Ombudsman scheme
All private landlords in England must join a single approved Landlord Ombudsman scheme (similar to the Housing Ombudsman for social tenants). The Ombudsman can investigate complaints about landlords and make binding orders for compensation and remedial action.
Privately Rented Property Database
A new mandatory database, maintained by the Secretary of State, requires all landlords to register their properties and provide prescribed information. It is offence not to register or to provide false information.
Awaab's Law extended to PRS
Time-limited duties to investigate and remedy prescribed hazards (initially damp and mould, with other hazards added by regulation) apply to private landlords as well as social landlords. Strict statutory timescales for investigation and remediation, with court remedies for breach.
Right to request pets and other reforms
Tenants have a statutory right to request to keep a pet, and landlords cannot unreasonably refuse. Landlords can require pet insurance. Discrimination against tenants with children or those on benefits is unlawful in the listing, offering, and renewal of tenancies.
ਮਹੱਤਵਪੂਰਨ ਚੇਤਾਵਨੀਆਂ
Commencement is staged: not all provisions are in force on Royal Assent. Check legislation.gov.uk for the latest commencement orders.
Existing fixed-term tenancies will continue until the end of their fixed term, then convert automatically — landlords cannot grant new fixed terms after commencement.
Pre-commencement Section 21 notices remain valid in some circumstances — transitional provisions are detailed and fact-sensitive.
The Act creates new criminal offences for landlords: prosecution for unlawful eviction or harassment carries up to 5 years' imprisonment under existing law, and new offences under the RRA carry significant fines.