×

Renters’ Rights Is Now Law

Our letting experts are here to help you navigate the changes with confidence

Free Landlord Review

"*" indicates required fields

GDPR
This field is hidden when viewing the form

Free Landlord Review

"*" indicates required fields

GDPR
This field is hidden when viewing the form

The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 – Are You Compliant?

The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 is now law, with key changes coming into force from 27 December 2025 and further measures from May 2026. The legislation introduces fundamental changes to tenancy structures, possession rights, rent increases, property standards, and landlord compliance requirements. Landlords must now review their existing arrangements to ensure they remain compliant and do not expose themselves to increased penalties or restrictions on possession and rent. Martin & Co can review your tenancies and property compliance, helping you understand exactly what needs to change and how to protect your rental income under the new rules.

Renters’ Rights Is Now Law

Free Landlord Review

"*" indicates required fields

GDPR
This field is hidden when viewing the form

Book Your Free Landlord Review

Get personalised guidance on the Renters’ Rights Act

Free Landlord Review

"*" indicates required fields

GDPR
This field is hidden when viewing the form
Renters’ Rights Is Now Law

Key Changes Under the Renters’ Rights Act

The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 replaces fixed-term tenancies with periodic agreements, removes Section 21 no-fault evictions, introduces new controls on rent increases, and raises minimum standards for rental properties. New rules on pets, landlord registration, and redress schemes also come into effect. These changes increase both the regulatory burden and the legal risk for landlords, making it essential to ensure tenancy documentation, rent procedures, and property standards are fully up to date. Martin & Co can help you assess the impact of these changes across your portfolio and put compliant processes in place.

Fixed-Term Tenancies Are Ending

Under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025, fixed-term Assured Shorthold Tenancies will be abolished and replaced with rolling periodic tenancies. New tenancies can no longer include a fixed term, and tenants will be able to give two months’ notice at any point. This significantly affects how landlords plan for rental stability, void periods, and long-term income, particularly where fixed terms were used to secure guaranteed rent. Martin & Co can help you adapt your tenancy agreements and management approach to maintain occupancy and minimise disruption.

Renters’ Rights Is Now Law

Free Landlord Review

"*" indicates required fields

GDPR
This field is hidden when viewing the form
Renters’ Rights Is Now Law

Section 21 Is Being Removed

The Act removes Section 21 notices, meaning landlords will no longer be able to regain possession without providing a legal reason. All evictions must now proceed under Section 8, using specific statutory grounds and following prescribed procedures. Understanding when possession can be lawfully recovered is now critical, as errors can lead to delays, disputes, or enforcement action. Martin & Co can guide you through the revised possession process and ensure any action you take is legally sound.

Free Landlord Review

"*" indicates required fields

GDPR
This field is hidden when viewing the form

Stricter Section 8 Eviction Rules

Section 8 evictions will be subject to stricter notice requirements and clearer evidential thresholds. In most cases, tenants must be at least three months in arrears, and notice periods for rent arrears are increasing from two weeks to four weeks. Grounds for serious anti-social behaviour are strengthened. These changes require landlords to manage arrears and tenancy issues carefully to avoid procedural errors. Martin & Co can support you with arrears management and ensure the correct legal steps are followed. We can also help you mitigate risk with rent & legal protection.

Renters’ Rights Is Now Law

Free Landlord Review

"*" indicates required fields

GDPR
This field is hidden when viewing the form
Renters’ Rights Is Now Law

Decent Homes Will Be Mandatory

All rental properties will be required to meet the Decent Homes Standard, with stricter requirements covering damp, mould, insulation, ventilation, and heating efficiency. Failure to meet these standards may result in enforcement action or financial penalties. Martin & Co can help you assess whether your properties meet the required standards as well as advise on and oversee improvements needed to stay compliant.

Free Landlord Review

"*" indicates required fields

GDPR
This field is hidden when viewing the form

Changes to Pet Rules and Tenant Protections

New rules will affect how landlords respond to pet requests and manage tenant rights. Landlords will no longer be able to unreasonably refuse pets, and stronger protections will apply for tenants with disabilities. These changes may require updates to tenancy agreements and policies to ensure compliance with the latest legislation. Martin & Co can ensure your agreements and practices remain compliant while protecting your interests as a landlord.

Renters’ Rights Is Now Law

Free Landlord Review

"*" indicates required fields

GDPR
This field is hidden when viewing the form
Renters’ Rights Is Now Law

Landlord Registration and Ombudsman Requirements

All landlords will be required to register each rental property and join the Landlord Ombudsman. Dispute resolution will be formalised through this framework. Failure to register or comply could result in penalties or enforcement action. Martin & Co can ensure your registrations are correct and help you navigate disputes efficiently if they arise.

Free Landlord Review

"*" indicates required fields

GDPR
This field is hidden when viewing the form

Maximum Civil Penalties Are Increasing

The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 raises the maximum civil penalty for non-compliance from £30,000 to £40,000. Councils will also have the power to issue penalties for a wider range of offences, including illegal evictions, without needing to take cases to court. Landlords must stay fully compliant to avoid these higher fines and protect their rental income. Martin & Co can help you identify and reduce compliance risks before they result in costly penalties.

Renters’ Rights Is Now Law

Free Landlord Review

"*" indicates required fields

GDPR
This field is hidden when viewing the form
Renters’ Rights Is Now Law

New Rules on Rent Increases

The Act introduces stricter controls on when and how rent can be increased. Existing mechanisms such as rent review clauses, mutual agreement, and Section 13 notices will be more tightly regulated. Incorrect rent increases could lead to disputes or enforcement action. Martin & Co you can manage rent increases correctly, avoid disputes, and ensure your properties remain profitable without breaching the new regulations.

Free Landlord Review

"*" indicates required fields

GDPR
This field is hidden when viewing the form

Get Your Free Landlord Review

Martin & Co are here to help landlords navigate the Renters’ Rights Act with confidence. Our professionally trained experts can review tenancy agreements, deposit protection, safety certificates, property standards, licensing, and outline ways to protect and optimise your rental income. Legislation is changing fast, but you don’t have to go it alone. Book your free Landlord Review today and get clear, tailored advice from our local experts in Poole & Bournemouth.

Renters’ Rights Is Now Law

Free Landlord Review

"*" indicates required fields

GDPR
This field is hidden when viewing the form

How To Prepare For The Renters Rights Act

Renters’ Rights Is Now Law

Consider Rent and Legal Protection

Consider Rent and Legal Protection

With fixed-term tenancies ending and eviction rules tightening, protecting rental income and ensuring legal processes are correct is more important than ever. Martin & Co can review your rent protection, legal cover, and tenancy documentation to help reduce risk under the new legislation.

Renters’ Rights Is Now Law

Increase Rent to Market Value Now

Increase Rent to Market Value Now

Future rent increases will be more restricted. If your rent is currently below market value, acting now may help protect long-term returns. Use our Instant Rental Valuation Tool to check whether your property’s rent reflects current market conditions.

Renters’ Rights Is Now Law

Upgrade To Full Property Management

Upgrade To Full Property Management

The Renters’ Rights Act increases landlord responsibilities around compliance, property standards, and dispute resolution. Our Fully Managed service helps ensure your property remains compliant, professionally managed, and protected as the rules change.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 is a major reform of UK landlord-tenant law, introducing new rules around tenancies, evictions, rent increases, property standards, and landlord compliance. It aims to give tenants greater security while ensuring landlords operate legally and fairly.

Key changes take effect from 27 December 2025, with additional measures coming into force in May 2026. Landlords should review their tenancies now to ensure compliance ahead of these dates.

No. Fixed-term Assured Shorthold Tenancies (ASTs) will be replaced with rolling periodic tenancies. Tenants can leave with two months’ notice, making it essential for landlords to adjust tenancy agreements and plan for stability.

No. Section 21 no-fault evictions have been abolished. Evictions must now follow Section 8 procedures with valid legal grounds and proper notice periods.

Notice periods have increased, and stricter grounds for possession apply, including anti-social behaviour and rent arrears. Tenants must generally be at least three months in arrears, with a notice period now four weeks for rent arrears.

Rent increases are limited and must follow statutory procedures. Landlords can no longer arbitrarily raise rent and must adhere to agreements in the tenancy or statutory notice periods. Proper documentation is crucial to avoid disputes.

The Decent Homes Standard now applies to all rental properties. Landlords must address damp, mould, insulation, heating, and ventilation, or risk penalties. Regular maintenance and safety checks are essential.

Landlords cannot unreasonably refuse pets, and stronger protections apply for tenants with disabilities. Tenancy agreements and property policies may need updating to comply with these rules.

Yes. All landlords must register each property and join an official Landlord Ombudsman or redress scheme. Formal dispute resolution processes will now be standard, and registration is mandatory to avoid penalties.

Maximum civil penalties have increased from £30,000 to £40,000. Councils can now issue fines for illegal evictions and other breaches without going to court. Staying compliant is critical to protect rental income.

Martin & Co provides expert guidance on the Renters’ Rights Act, helping landlords review tenancies, update agreements, maintain properties, and stay fully compliant. We offer compliance audits, advice on evictions and rent increases, and ongoing support for all regulatory changes. If you’re looking for renters rights help in Bournemouth or Poole our team are here to assist you.

Latest Landlord News

See More