Renters’ Rights Bill*
New legislation for the Private Rented Sector
The Renters’ Rights Bill, currently progressing through Parliament, is a new piece of law and the biggest change in housing legislation since the Housing Act 1988. It is aimed at significantly reforming the private rented sector. The primary objective is to provide greater security and protection for tenants.
Key issues in the Bill
Periodic tenancies
No minimum tenancy term for new and existing tenancies.
Restrictive period of 12 months before notice can be served by a landlord.
New and revised grounds for possession including the abolition of Section 21.
New regulations
Introduction of a Landlord Ombudsman to help resolve disputes.
Decent Home Standards and Awaab’s Law to ensure rental properties meet a minimum level of quality.
Introduction of a Private Rented Sector (PRS) database: A centralised register to provide tenants with essential information.
Rent changes and charges
Cannot accept rental offers over the advertised rent / ending bidding wars.
Rental increases allowed once a year, at ‘market rate’.
No longer allowed to ask for or accept advance payments before the tenancy start date / cannot ask for rent in advance.
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Tenants and applicant changes
Cannot refuse applicants with children or those receiving benefits.
Tenant has the right to request a pet which cannot be unreasonably refused.
Periodic tenancies
New regulations
Rent changes and charges
Tenants and applicant changes
Periodic tenancies
New regulations
Rent changes and charges
Tenants and applicant changes
Periodic tenancies
New regulations
Rent changes and charges
Tenants and applicant changes
Periodic tenancies
New regulations
Rent changes and charges
Tenants and applicant changes
A version of this bill has been under consideration for several years now, after first being mooted by the Conservative government in a white paper in 2022. When Labour came into power in July 2024, they swiftly introduced their own version of the Bill, moving it quickly through the legislative processes. At time of publication, it is anticipated that the bill will be enacted with implementation likely to be late summer or early autumn, 2025.
How we can help
Review your portfolio
Evidence of market rent
Careful referencing
Our enhanced service
Local authorities will now have increased enforcement powers and non-compliance could be met with fines.
It is our job to ensure that your managed properties are in safe hands, and we will advise and guide you through this new legislation.
If you would like to discuss Carter Jonas managing your property, we would be delighted to discuss this with you.
Ensure you are achieving the best rent by using market comparables from both proprietary and third-party databases.
Ensure a quick and responsive resolution of any property management issues.
Review your portfolio
We are constantly monitoring comparable properties and rents to ensure you are achieving the best, most accurate rate. We have access to accurate databases, both internal and external, to collect market comparables.
Evidence of market rent
It is our job to ensure we are matching the right tenant with the right property. We have robust and stringent referencing measures to identify the most suitable applicant for a property.
Careful referencing
Our procedures and processes are being updated and modified to reflect all the new legislation.
Our teams are having continuous training to ensure we are up to speed on all the new regulations and legislation.
We will be monitoring the new PRS database membership rules and will advise of landlord responsibilities in due course.
Our enhanced service
Timeline of the Bill
June 2022
The Conservative government publishes a White Paper titled 'A Fairer Private Rented Sector'
May 2023
Renters (Reform) Bill is formally introduced
May 2023
Renters (Reform) Bill has its first reading in the House of Commons
April 2024
Report Stage and Third Reading in House of Commons
2022
2025
May 2024
The First and Second Stage Readings in the House of Lords
July 2024
General Election called; Bill could not be completed. Labour government wins majority
Summer 2024
Labour government introduces the Renters' Rights Bill, many similarities to the Renters (Reform) Bill
September 2024
Renters' Rights Bill has First Reading in House of Commons
October 2024
Second Reading and debate in House of Commons
January 2025
The Bill has its first reading in the House of Lords
February 2025
The Bill has its second reading in the House of Lords
April 2025
The Bill reaches the Committee Stage in the House of Lords
May or June 2025 (TBD)
Third Reading of the Bill in the House of Lords
Late Summer 2025 (TBD)
Royal Assent likely to occur
Autumn 2025 (TBD)
Commencement date of the Renters' Rights Bill
*The new Bill will apply to Housing Act tenancies only.
020 7529 1538
Leslie Schroeder
Head of Residential Research
Email
Get in touch
01865 404406
Mark Charter
Partner
Email
01423 707817
Jess Hall
Associate
Email
Periodic tenancies
Review your portfolio
Evidence of market rent
Careful referencing
We are constantly monitoring comparable properties and rents to ensure you are achieving the best, most accurate rate. We have access to accurate databases, both internal and external, to collect market comparables.
