On 27 October 2025 the long-awaited Renters’ Rights Bill (now the Renters’ Rights Act) became law, after receiving Royal Assent.

It will fundamentally change the landscape of the private rented sector, with potential ramifications on the wider property market.

But what do landlords, tenants, and agents actually need to know about the Renters' Rights Act?

Below, senior associate and residential property disputes specialist Philip Copley provides ten things to consider at this early stage.

1). Despite receiving Royal Assent, most of the act is not yet in force.

2). Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions will be abolished – so if landlords want to evict, they will need to rely on section 8, which includes new and varied grounds. For example, the standard and mandatory ‘2 months’ rent arrears’ ground will become ‘3 months’ rent arrears’, and the notice will need to be 4 weeks rather than 2 weeks. The entirely new grounds include the landlord wanting to sell the property.

3). All ‘assured tenancies’ will become periodic and no longer be a fixed term, and tenants will be able to serve 2 months’ notice to leave.

4). Landlords can only increase rent once a year by using the ‘section13’ process, and tenants will have greater rights to challenge this.

5). Landlords cannot ask for large amounts of rent up-front.

6). Agents cannot allow ‘rental bidding’, and must market the property at the rent payable.

7). Tenants will be able to have pets.

8). Landlords will be unable to discriminate against tenants with children or on benefits.

9). The ‘Decent Home Standard’ will apply to all privately rented houses.

10). There will be a new Ombudsman and Landlord Database for privately rented houses.

We will be looking at all of these issues, and more, in greater detail over the coming weeks.