20 Essential FAQs on the Renters’ Rights Bill

The UK Government’s Renters’ Rights Bill proposes key changes to the rental landscape, affecting landlords and tenants alike. It aims to provide tenants with greater security while maintaining fairness in the rental market, and ensures a more transparent and regulated process for landlords. This Bill is a replacement to the previous Conservative Government’s proposed Renters’ Reform Bill which never made it into law.

The Bill is expected to be law by the end of Spring 2025. However, some measures may be implemented gradually, depending on feedback from industry stakeholders and ongoing consultations.

The Bill passed its third reading in the House of Commons on January 14, 2025, and subsequently moved to the House of Lords for further discussion. The Bill is still progressing through legislative stages and will require Royal Assent before becoming law.

All fixed-term assured shorthold tenancies (ASTs) will transition to periodic tenancies once the Bill is enacted. This change is designed to enhance tenant security, but landlords will still have clear grounds for possession and eviction when necessary.

The Bill will abolish Section 21 evictions, which allow landlords to end tenancies without a specified reason. This shift aims to bring more stability for tenants, while still providing landlords with sufficient protections to regain possession of their property when justified.

Yes, landlords will still have the ability to evict tenants. The Bill will introduce fairer and more transparent possession grounds, with safeguards in place to ensure tenants have adequate time to find new housing. This applies when eviction occurs because the landlord intends to move in or sell the property.

Landlords will be required to use Section 8 notices to evict tenants under the new Bill. Understanding the mandatory and discretionary grounds for possession is crucial for landlords to ensure they follow the proper procedures and protect their rights.

The Renters’ Rights Bill mandates that rental properties meet the Decent Homes Standard, ensuring they are safe and in good condition. This requirement aims to improve the quality of rental housing across the board, benefitting both tenants and landlords.

Awaab’s Law will require landlords to address serious hazards in their properties within specified timeframes. This helps ensure the safety of tenants, but landlords are encouraged to proactively maintain their properties to avoid issues.

The Bill allows tenants to appeal against excessively high rent increases. However, rent increases must align with market prices, and landlords will still be able to adjust rent in line with prevailing market conditions once per year. Independent tribunals will resolve any disputes fairly.

The Renters’ Rights Bill introduces a ban on rental bidding, preventing landlords and agents from accepting offers above the advertised rent. This ensures transparency in rental pricing but maintains the freedom for landlords to set market-appropriate rent levels.

Yes, tenants can request pets in their rental properties. Landlords are expected to consider these requests reasonably and cannot refuse without justifiable cause.

Landlords may require tenants to have pet insurance to cover potential damages. This gives landlords peace of mind and ensures that tenants take responsibility for any potential pet-related issues.

Local authorities will be given more powers, including expanded civil penalties and enhanced investigatory abilities, to ensure landlords comply with regulations. Landlords should be aware of these powers and ensure their properties meet the necessary standards.

The government aims to reduce fuel poverty by setting a minimum EPC requirement for rental properties. Currently, all rental properties must have a minimum rating of C by 2030. While this is an additional cost to landlords, it is intended to ensure better living standards for tenants while supporting climate goals.

Yes, there is a 12-month period during which landlords cannot sell the property at the start of a tenancy. Once the protection period ends, landlords are free to make decisions regarding the sale or rental of the property.

A new Landlord Ombudsman will be introduced to mediate tenant complaints against landlords. This system is designed to offer impartial resolution for both parties, creating a more structured and fair process for complaints while ensuring landlords are treated fairly.

All landlords renting out their properties will be legally required to register on this online platform. The database will provide a ‘one-stop shop’ for landlords, allowing them to access relevant guidance through a single ‘front door.’ For tenants, the database will increase transparency and provide valuable information before they decide to rent a property and throughout their renting journey.

Landlords should start preparing for the upcoming changes by staying proactive and well-informed. By doing so, landlords can ensure they meet the new regulations while maintaining their ability to manage their properties effectively. We expect that, depending on the area, tenants will want to rent longer term, which for landlords will mean limited void periods and minimised re-let costs due to longer, rolling tenancies. This is similar to Germany and Scotland, where Complete already operates, and we have seen in practice how this can work in England.