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The Renters’ Rights Act 2025

The Renters Rights Act 2025 has become law, introducing major reforms in the private rented sector. In a phased approach these reforms will be implemented. For a Salford landlord, it is essential to understand these changes and how to ensure compliance, avoid penalties and maintain a positive relationship with tenants. 

The government guidance is available here: Renting out your property: guidance for landlords and letting agents. Get more information about the rent changes and Explainer: everything you need to know about the new Renters’ Rights Act – MHCLG in the Media.

What’s changing?

The following changes will happen on 1 May 2026. If a letting agent acts on your behalf, then they will need to follow these rules too.

New rules on starting and ending tenancies

Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions will be abolished:

  • you’ll no longer be able to use Section 21 of the Housing Act 1988 to evict your tenants.
    Reformed possession grounds will be fairer for both parties:
  • you’ll only be able to evict tenants when you have a specific, legally valid reason, otherwise known as a ‘possession ground’.
  • possession grounds will be extended to make it easier for landlords to evict tenants when they want to sell the property, move into the property or move in members of their family.
  • the changes will also make it easier to evict tenants who commit anti-social behaviour. 
    Fixed term tenancies will be banned:
  • most new and existing tenancies in the private rented sector will become assured periodic tenancies, or ‘rolling tenancies’.
  • this means renters will be able to stay in their property until they end the tenancy or until a landlord serves a valid notice to end it or obtains a court/possession order.
  • renters will be able to end the tenancy at any point by giving two months’ notice.

How to prepare:

  • Understand the new legal grounds for possession 
  • Keep clear records if planning to sell, refurbish, or move in 
  • Communicate openly with tenants to reduce disputes

Changes to rent and payments

Rent increases limited to once per year: 

  • you’ll have to follow the new legal process for increasing the rent.
  • this will include providing the tenant with notice, detailing the proposed rent increase at least two months’ before that increase is due to take effect. 

Rental bidding will be banned:

  • you’ll have to include a specific price on any written property advertisement. 
  • you won’t be allowed to ask for, encourage or accept an offer that’s higher. 

Requiring large amounts of rent in advance will be banned:

  • you’ll only be able to require up to one month’s rent in the period between all parties signing the tenancy and the tenancy starting.
  • you won’t be able to accept any payment of rent before this period. 
  • once the tenancy’s begun, you won’t be able to require any payment of rent before it’s due.

How to prepare:

  • Create a rent review calendar 
  • Base increases on market conditions 
  • Keep records of rent changes and justifications 
  • Get to know your market and do your research

New requirements for tenancies

Landlords will need to make sure they’ve understood the new rules for tenancy agreements: 
You’ll need to make sure that you give your tenant written information about the terms of their tenancy.

  • tenancies that started before 1 May 2026 – you won’t need to change or re-issue any existing written tenancy agreements. Instead, all you’ll need to do is send your tenants a government-produced information sheet before 31 May 2026. An information sheet will be published in March 2026.  
  • tenancies that start on or after 1 May 2026 – you’ll need to provide your tenants with certain information about the tenancy in writing. You could do this in a tenancy agreement. In January 2026, details will be published on what information must be included to give you sufficient time to prepare your tenancy agreement template.

How to prepare:

  • Review all current tenancy agreements
  • Be prepared to issue the new information sheet when it is published in March 2026
  • Keep up to date via the government website

Discrimination against renters will be illegal

  • you won’t be able to do anything to make a tenant less likely to rent a property (or prevent them from renting it) because they have children or receive benefits. 
  • this includes withholding information about a property (including its availability), preventing them from viewing it, and refusing to grant a tenancy.

How to prepare: 

  • Review your screening process 
  • Focus on affordability, references, and credit history 
  • Remove outdated or exclusionary policies 
  • Ensure agents follow the same standards

You must consider tenant requests to rent with a pet

  • you’ll have to consider and respond to your tenant’s request within a set timeframe and will have to provide valid reasons if you choose to refuse it. 

How to prepare: 

  • Develop a fair pet policy 
  • Consider property suitability and maintenance needs 

Stronger Local Authority Enforcement

Councils, including Salford City Council, as of 27 December 2025 will have greater powers to investigate to enforce compliance. 

From 1 May 2025, fines for breaches and offences will increase. There will also be an increase in Rent Repayment Orders.

How to prepare: 

  • Stay updated on local regulations 
  • Conduct regular inspections 
  • Engage proactively with the council 

Other elements of the Renters’ Rights Act will take effect in later phases. In the future, a database, an ombudsman, Awaab’s Law, and the Decent Homes Standard will all be implemented in the private rented sector. Guidance will be published to help you understand what these changes mean for you and your business nearer the time. 

Next steps for Salford landlords

The Renters’ Rights Act is the biggest change in rental law in decades. Preparing now will protect your business and ensure you remain compliant.

This page was last updated on 9 December 2025

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