Preparing for the Renters Rights Bill

This guidance is based on the wording of the Bill currently being considered in the House of Lords and may be subject to change. Check back regularly for further updates.

The Renters’ Rights Bill (RRB) is expected to come into force in 2025, and landlords should start preparing for the changes it brings. Find out what you need to know about the Renters’ Rights Bill with this comprehensive guide by the NRLA. 

The new Renters’ Rights Bill introduces the most significant changes to the private rented sector in nearly four decades. It establishes a host of reforms such as: 

• A new standard tenancy for private renting 
• A Decent Homes Standard and new rules on responding to hazards 
• Changes to advertising and letting practices 
• Limits on when and how much rent can be taken in advance 
• The removal of Section 21 notices for possession 
• Changes to Section 8 grounds for possession 
• Changes to rent increases 
• A new private rented sector database and Ombudsman that landlords must sign up to 
• New offences and civil penalties for landlords who don't comply with these rules 

When will the Renters' Rights Bill become law? 

While changes like the Decent Homes Standard and the database will probably not apply until 2026/27, most other changes are expected to apply to new and existing tenancies later this year. 

The new rules are complex, and landlords must learn a lot to remain compliant. Preparation will ensure a smooth transition to the latest regulations so you can have confidence in your lettings business.  

The Government still needs to publish full details of the changes. This guide will help you get started with early preparations and outlines what you will need to do as implementation approaches. 

With demand high and rents continuing to rise, the reasons for being a landlord remain strong in most areas of the country. Most tenants are happy with their landlord’s services, intend to stay long-term, and pay their rent regularly, so problems remain unlikely. 

However, the Bill does increase the costs and financial risk to landlords in several ways, including: 

• A higher risk of void periods, particularly in houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) and for student tenancies 
• Changes to possession grounds and the removal of Section 21 will increase delays in seeking possession and the difficulty of successfully gaining possession 
• Delays in implementing regular rent increases 
• Higher civil penalties as well as new offences that could catch out unaware landlords 
• New fees to cover the set-up and running costs and the expected costs of enforcing the rules 
• Rent cannot be paid in advance before signing the tenancy agreement, potentially invalidating existing insurance products

With that in mind, you should be reviewing your portfolio now to answer questions like: