This note looks at The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 and what it means for you and your constituents
The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 aims to offer greater security and stability to renters in England, whilst also offering benefits to responsible landlords. It aims to overhaul the private rental system through three distinct phases, the first of which came into law on the 1st May 2026. This briefing will give you a succinct guide to the changes that have happened since May and the ones which will be coming into law in late 2026 and further into the future.
Phase one from May 1st 2026
Phase one applies only to the private rental sector, and will not come into force for the social rental sector until phase two. Phase one:
- Abolishes no-fault evictions
- Ensures that all renters can stay in their property for as long as they want.
- Stops landlords from evicting tenants without valid reason, but gives landlords greater ability to evict renters who are in serious rent arrears or who commit anti-social behaviour.
- Limits rent increases to once a year only.
- Bans rental bidding or paying rent in advance of one month.
- Makes it illegal to discriminate against renters with children or who are on benefits
- Requires landlords to consider renters with pets (they will require a valid reason to refuse pets)
- Strengthens council enforcement with greater penalties for people who repeatedly fail to pay rent repayment orders.
Landlords with existing tenants before the 1st May 2026 must have given their tenants ‘The Renter’s Right’s Information Sheet’ before the 31st May otherwise they can be fined £7000. Rental agreements written after 1st May must include certain information related to the Act, this information can be found here. If a landlord is non-compliant, renters will be able to report them to their local council.
Phase Two from late 2026
There will be a regional rollout of the database for landlords and local councils. All private landlords will be required to pay an annual fee to register on the database. Registry on the database will be mandatory for all landlords and will require them to share information about themselves and their property(ies).
A landlord’s Ombudsman will also be established- providing tools for renters and landlords when things go wrong. It will be required that all landlords become members of this service. The aim is for the Ombudsman to be up and running in 2028.
Phase 3 between 2035 and 2037
This stage will introduce a ‘Decent Homes Standard’ for all privately rented housing. The government is currently considering consultation responses about this and will announce details of these standards and a timeline as soon as possible. As part of this phase, a review of the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) will also occur.
Why does this matter?
With almost five million private renters in England and an estimated two million private landlords, the Renters’ Rights Act is likely to affect a significant number of your constituents. As such, it is important that all MPs in England understand this Act in order to support both renters and landlords effectively. With the second phase set to happen later this year, understanding the changes made by this Act is vital.
Renters may need support in ensuring their tenancy reflects the regulations set forward in phase one. They may also require information to help them advocate for themselves should their landlord have failed to adhere to these regulations.
Additionally, landlords may require support to ensure they are adhering to the law, as well as information about evicting problematic tenants – as these rules have changed significantly.
General information about the Act, as well as specific advice for tenants and for landlords can be found below:
Commons Library Briefing: https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-10669/ (May 2026)
Advice for Tenants
Private Renting Has Changed – https://housinghub.campaign.gov.uk/private-renting-is-changing/
Citizens Advice Information about Housing – https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/housing/
Advice for Landlords
Renting is Changing for Landlords – https://housinghub.campaign.gov.uk/renting-is-changing/
Abi Cooper / August 2026