Posted: 30th October 2025
The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 Receives Royal Assent
The long-debated Renters’ Rights Bill has officially become law after receiving Royal Assent from King Charles this week, marking a defining moment in the regulation of England’s private rented sector. The legislation now enters the statute books as the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 (RRA 2025).
Introduced to the House of Commons on 11 September 2024, the Bill has taken 413 days to reach this milestone. Spanning 226 pages, the Act contains over 76,000 words, 6,000 paragraphs, and 18,000 lines of text—making it one of the most comprehensive housing reforms since the Housing Act 1988.
A New Era for the Private Rented Sector
The RRA 2025 ushers in a new era for landlords, agents, and tenants alike. Designed to strengthen tenant protections, it also introduces new layers of compliance and administrative responsibility across the sector.
Now that the legislation has been formally read out in the House of Lords, the Government will begin updating secondary legislation and related regulations to ensure alignment with the new Act.
The End of Section 21 ‘No-Fault’ Evictions
One of the most notable and far-reaching reforms is the abolition of Section 21, which currently allows landlords to regain possession of their properties without providing a reason.
Campaign organisations such as Shelter and Generation Rent had urged for an immediate end to “no-fault” evictions, but the Government has instead chosen a phased approach to give landlords and property managers time to adapt.
However, this change will have significant operational implications. All evictions will now need to be processed through the County Courts, which is expected to increase both the time and cost of removing tenants who breach tenancy agreements. Many courts are already stretched, raising concerns about potential delays once the reforms come into full effect.
Other Key Reforms
Beyond Section 21, the RRA 2025 introduces several additional structural changes designed to professionalise and modernise the private rental market, including:
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Extension of Awaab’s Law to the private rented sector, setting stricter standards for tackling damp and mould.
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The creation of a national database of landlords and rental properties, promoting greater transparency and accountability.
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The introduction of a new independent ombudsman, with mandatory registration for all landlords.
What Happens Next?
During an interview on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Secretary of State Steve Reed confirmed that the Government will soon publish a detailed implementation timetable outlining when each part of the Act will come into force.
Over the coming weeks, landlords can expect clarification on several crucial questions, including:
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When will the Decent Homes Standard and Awaab’s Law be enforced?
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How quickly will Assured Shorthold Tenancies (ASTs) and Assured Tenancies convert to Assured Periodic Tenancies?
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When will Section 21 officially be abolished?
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Will Local Authorities receive their new enforcement powers immediately?
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When will the Private Rented Sector Database launch?
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When will landlords need to register with the Landlord Ombudsman Service?
These details will be vital for landlords to plan and adjust their compliance processes ahead of full implementation.
When Will the Act Take Effect?
The first provisions of the RRA 2025 will take effect two months after Royal Assent, on 27 December 2025. These early measures will primarily strengthen the powers of Local Housing Authorities (LHAs) to enforce housing standards and ensure compliance with the Act.
Key Immediate Changes
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Expanded LHA investigation powers: Councils can now request information under Sections 114–115 from anyone who has acted as a landlord, agent, or licensor within the past 12 months. They may also enter residential or business premises to investigate suspected breaches.
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Increased compliance checks: LHAs can verify whether agents are members of an approved Client Money Protection (CMP) scheme and cross-reference data from tax, benefits, and deposit databases to identify potential non-compliance.
Further sections of the Act will be rolled out gradually, with specific commencement dates and accompanying regulations to follow in due course.
Preparing for Change
In summary, the RRA 2025 represents one of the most substantial overhauls of the private rented sector in decades. While it aims to modernise housing standards and strengthen tenant protections, it also places new demands on landlords to remain compliant in a more regulated environment.
Landlords are encouraged to review tenancy agreements, property standards, and management processes now to ensure they are ready for the changes ahead. Staying informed and proactive will be essential as the new legislative framework takes shape.
At Milburys, our team are following developments closely and are ready to guide landlords through what this means in practice — from tenancy structures and rent reviews to property standards and compliance requirements.
If you’d like to understand how the new legislation might affect your properties — and what steps you can take now to prepare — please contact Milburys.
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