Landlord Update: The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 Receives Royal Assent

Renters' Rights Act

The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 – the biggest overhaul of private renting in England – received Royal Assent on 27 October 2025. Once fully enacted, it will ban Section 21 evictions, introduce a new periodic tenancy regime, and set new requirements for property standards and rent increases.  Once fully implemented, it will:

  1. End Section 21 “no fault” evictions
  2. Introduce a single system of periodic tenancies
  3. Set new standards for property condition and rent increases

These changes will be phased in, but the first measures come into force soon.

Key Date: 27 December 2025

From this date, Local Housing Authorities (LHAs) gain new powers to investigate breaches of housing law. These measures are designed to improve property standards and strengthen tenant protection — but they also increase compliance expectations for landlords and agents.

What LHAs Can Do

1. Request information under Section 114
LHAs can require information from anyone involved with a property in the last 12 months (landlord, agent, licensor, etc.).
Requests must be:

  1. In writing and cite Section 114 of the Act
  2. Clear on what information is required, how it should be provided, and by when

Failure to comply without a reasonable excuse, or providing false or misleading information, can result in financial penalties.

2. Broader information requests under Section 115
If an LHA suspects a breach, it can request data from any person or organisation. Non-compliance can lead to a court order compelling disclosure.

Action for landlords:
Maintain accurate and organised records — covering tenancies, management, marketing, client money, and licences. If you receive a Section 114 or 115 notice, seek advice immediately before responding.

LHA Entry Powers (Section 126)

LHAs may now enter rented properties to investigate suspected breaches with:

  1. 24 hours’ written notice, or
  2. A court-issued warrant, if necessary.

This is a significant strengthening of enforcement tools.

Data Sharing Between Agencies

Information from Housing Benefit, Council Tax, and Tenancy Deposit Schemes can now be used in investigations. This may help LHAs identify:

  1. Multiple benefit claims at one address
  2. Overcrowding or unlicensed occupancy
  3. Undeclared rental arrangements

Other Immediate Changes (27 December 2025)

  1. Local authorities must report their enforcement activity to the Secretary of State for Housing.
  2. Abandonment provisions from the Housing and Planning Act 2016 will be formally repealed and cannot be enacted in future.

What Happens Next

The remaining sections of the Renters’ Rights Act — including the ban on Section 21 and the new tenancy regime — will be rolled out in stages. The Government will confirm timelines and guidance in due course.

Our Advice

Stay informed, keep documentation up to date, and ensure your properties meet all required standards. We’ll continue to share updates and guidance as the new rules take effect.

If you have any concerns about compliance or upcoming changes, please contact us — we’re here to help you navigate the transition smoothly.

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