Trinity Property

When will the changes take effect?

 

The Act will be implemented in a series of phases to allow landlords, tenants, letting agents and councils time to prepare:

• 27 December 2025 – New enforcement powers for local authorities begin.

• 1 May 2026 – The first major set of tenancy reforms come into force.

• Late 2026–2027 – Further reforms including a new landlord database and ombudsman system will be rolled out.

   

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Key changes landlords need to know

 

1. Section 21 no-fault evictions are abolished

The most notable reform is the end of the so-called no-fault eviction under Section 21. Landlords will no longer be able to evict tenants without a justified legal reason; evictions will instead rely on updated statutory grounds.

 

2. New tenancy structure

Fixed-term assured shorthold tenancies will be phased out and replaced with assured periodic tenancies – effectively open-ended tenancies that continue until either party gives notice.

 

3. Rent increases

Rent can only be increased once per year and must be served with appropriate notice under the updated section 13 procedure.

 

4. No rental bidding

Landlords and agents will be prohibited from accepting offers above the advertised rent – eliminating rental bidding wars that drive up costs.

 

5. Enhanced non-discrimination

It will be unlawful to automatically refuse tenants on the basis of family status or receipt of benefits. Landlords and agents must assess applicants based on individual circumstances.

 

6. Pets requests

Tenants will have the right to request to keep pets. Landlords must respond within a set timeframe and cannot unreasonably refuse – although reasonable exceptions may apply depending on the property.

 

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Protections and new rights for tenants

 

Security of tenure

With the abolition of fixed-term ASTs and Section 21, tenants can stay in their homes longer without fear of arbitrary eviction.

 

Rent transparency

Rent increases and rent bidding practices are now more transparent and balanced to give tenants greater certainty and rights to challenge unfair increases.

 

Fair treatment

Landlords must avoid discriminatory practices and consider legitimate requests such as pets in good faith.

 

New dispute resolution

Future phases will introduce a landlord ombudsman and a mandatory landlord database to improve accountability and provide quicker, fairer dispute resolution.

 

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What this means in practice

 

For landlords and agents, these changes mean:

• Reviewing tenancy agreements and internal processes

• Updating rent review procedures

• Preparing for new enforcement and compliance obligations

• Being ready for a new era of regulated tenancy practices

 

For tenants, it means:

• Greater security of tenure

• Stronger protections against unfair practices

• More say in how tenancies are managed

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Need support or advice?

If you have questions about how the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 affects you – whether you’re a landlord, tenant, or agent – Trinity Property can help you understand the changes and prepare effectively.