What does the Renters’ Rights Act mean for landlords, tenancies and possession?
The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 (the Act) received Royal Assent on 27 October 2025 and fundamentally changes the law relating to residential tenancies. This follows on from what was previously the Renters’ Rights Bill. The Act will be brought into force in phases: key changes came into effect on 1 May, with more to follow (see timeline below).
Watch our Renters’ Rights Act webinar: what landlords need to know
Our Real Estate Disputes team recently hosted a webinar exploring the key changes introduced by the Renter’s Rights Act and what they mean in practice for landlords and agents.
Listen to our Renters’ Rights Act podcast series
Our two-part Renters’ Rights Act podcast series examines the impact of the changes on two key elements of the private rental sector: student tenancies and rural tenancies.
Student tenancies podcast Rural tenancies podcastThe Renters’ Rights Act 2025 explained
The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 (the Act) received Royal Assent on 27 October 2025 and fundamentally changes the law relating to residential tenancies.
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Key dates
27 October 2025
Royal Assent for the Renters’ Rights Act 2025
27 December 2025
New local council enforcement measures and investigatory powers for local councils go live
30 April 2026
The last day to serve s8 and s21 notices under current regime
1 May 2026
Existing ASTs convert to assured periodic tenancies, no longer possible to serve section 21 notices, start of new rules regarding possession grounds, rent increases, pets, discrimination against renters with children or on benefits and Council enforcement
31 May 2026
Deadline to give students notice of reliance on relevant ground for possession
31 May 2026
Deadline to issue information sheet to tenants under tenancies signed prior to 1 May 2026
31 July 2026
Longstop date for issuing a possession claim based on a Section 21 notice
Late 2026
PRS landlord database goes live
Mandatory sign-up for landlords to join the PRS Landlord Ombudsman
Introduction of Awaab’s Law and Decent Homes Standard
More on the act
Meet our team
Anna Mullins
Partner, Real Estate Disputes
Charlotte Ross
Senior Knowledge Development Lawyer, Real Estate and Construction Disputes
Jocelyn Mcleod-Horne
Associate, Real Estate Disputes
