The renters rights bill is intended to be the most significant overhaul of the private rented sector and the laws around it and is aimed to give renters more security and better protections while at the same time modernising the rights and responsibilities in the sector.
The key proposed reforms include the below:
- Removal of section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions. Landlords will no longer be able to evict tenants by simply giving them notice without reason.
- Conversion of all fixed term tenancies into a periodic (rolling) contract once the bill has passed.
- Rental increases will be more structured and allowed only once per year.
- No bidding over advertised rental amounts.
- New frameworks in relation to the decent home standards.
- New rules around pets, tenants with children and benefits to avoid discrimination.
Why this matters for landlords.
This isn’t just a legal shift, it affects the risk, incentives and dynamics of renting a property. The main implications are below.
- Less certainty over tenancy lengths – a move to a rolling contract means tenants can give notice at any point in the tenancy. This makes property condition, tenant satisfaction and response times more important than ever.
- Higher costs and greater complexity to gain possession – without section 21, landlords need to rely on the revised section 8 (fault based) grounds if they need to regain possession of a property. Evictions will require more robust evidence, stricter compliance and correct procedural steps.
- Rent increase will be under tighter scrutiny – rent increases will be limited to once a year and can be challenged by the tenant. Landlords will need to provide proof in way of strong comparable properties for this.
- Property standards – under the new bill, poorly maintained or substandard properties are more likely to make tenants leave early or escalate disputes. A well maintained, responsive property becomes an advantage.
- Compliance – expect more scrutiny on this too with obligations to register to a database.
What you can do now to get ready.
- Check all your existing tenancies and paperwork – look at your rent review clauses, notice periods and your record of repairs, communications and inspections.
- Start investing in property maintenance – look at and address known issues proactively so you are ahead of any potential standard levels that arrive.
- Increase record keeping – keep dated log of repair requests, notices and inspections as well as any tenant correspondence and photos. Here at Easiliving with our online tools, we track all of this, and it can be downloaded at any point.
- Review advertising practices – make sure the asking rent is clearly displayed and prepare for potential registration or database requirements.
- Consider best practice for rent increases and renewals – structure rent increases that are easier to justify and defend from tenant scrutiny.
- Manage tenants proactively – generate good relationships with tenants with communication being the key. A valued tenant is less likely to raise a dispute.
- Stay updated – as the bill progresses keep up to date with any changes that have occurred and keep in touch with industry bodies and legal experts.
Partner with Easiliving for Stress-Free Property Management
Managing a property can be time-consuming — that’s where we come in. At Easiliving, we support landlords at every stage, from finding quality tenants to handling maintenance, compliance, and everything in between. Whether you’re a hands-on landlord or prefer a fully managed service, we’re here to make things easier.
