A landmark legal overhaul has officially begun for England's private rental sector, as the Renters' Rights Act received Royal Assent on 20 November 2025. This transformative legislation aims to rebalance the relationship between the nation's 2.3 million landlords and 11 million tenants, delivering on a key government manifesto pledge.
Core Reforms: Ending 'No-Fault' Evictions and Discrimination
At the heart of the new Act is the abolition of Section 21 'no-fault' evictions, a practice blamed for pushing thousands into homelessness. This seismic change is designed to empower tenants to challenge poor property conditions and unreasonable rent hikes without fear of retaliatory eviction.
The legislation also tackles discrimination head-on. It is now illegal for landlords and letting agents to refuse tenants simply for having children or receiving benefits. Furthermore, the Decent Homes Standard and Awaab's Law, which mandates action on damp and mould, are being extended to the private rented sector for the first time.
Enhanced Security and New Rights for Tenants
The reforms introduce a universal tenancy structure, meaning all rental agreements will become 'periodic' or rolling, converting existing fixed-term contracts. Tenants gain the right to end a tenancy with two months' notice, providing greater flexibility.
In a significant win for pet owners, the Act grants better rights to request a pet. Landlords must consider these requests and cannot refuse them unreasonably. Tenants can challenge any refusal with the newly established Private Rented Sector Ombudsman.
This new Ombudsman will offer a swift, binding resolution service for tenant complaints, with powers to compel landlords to apologise, provide information, take remedial action, or pay compensation.
Industry and Government Reaction
Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated, "Every family deserves the dignity of a safe and secure home. For too long, millions of renters have lived at the mercy of rogue landlords or insecure contracts... We're putting an end to that."
Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook described the Act as a decisive move to level the playing field between landlord and tenant, transforming the private renting experience.
Ben Beadle, Chief Executive of the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA), acknowledged the milestone, calling it "the most significant shake-up of the rental market in almost 40 years." He emphasised the need for the new systems to be fair and workable for both tenants and responsible landlords.
Looking ahead, further reforms are expected to end renting bidding wars and prevent landlords from demanding more than one month's rent upfront, cementing the most profound change to English rental law in a generation.
