Renters' Rights Act 2025 - Landlords Hub

What does the Renters' Rights Act 2025 mean for Landlords?

Are you a landlord or planning on becoming a landlord then the Renters' Reform Act 2025 (RRA) will likely apply to you and your tenants.  The Act received royal assent on 27 October 2025, which means it is now law.  However it will be implemented in stages with the one of the main changes, an end to assured shorthold tenancies and section 21 notices coming into affect 1 May 2026.  It is really important you comply with the new legislation as new enforcement powers backed by civil penalties could apply to any breaches.  View renting out your property guidance on the GOV.UK website.

Table showing timetable for key changes

Timetable for the key changes of the Act.
Date Change
27 December 2025 New local council enforcement measures and investigatory powers for local councils come into force.
January 2026 Wording for tenancy agreements to be confirmed. View tenancy agreement pdates on GOV.UK website
March 2026 Publication of the information sheet that will need to be given to your current/existing tenants to inform them of the changes.  The Information Sheet about the Renters’ Rights Act 2025
April 2026 Guidance must issued to tenants on what the changes will mean for them.
30 April 2026 Last day landlords can serve a Section 21 notice.
1 May 2026 Implementation of the first phase of the Renters’ Rights Act, including the loss of Section 21 and the abolition of fixed term assured shorthold tenancies.
Spring/Summer 2026 Financial penalties for Category 1 hazards, updated guidance to be published. 
31 May 2026 Deadline for serving information leaflet to existing tenants about the changes, and for notifying student tenants that you may use the new Ground 4A.
31 July 2026 Deadline for applications to court for possession under Section 21.
Late 2026 Private Rented Sector (PRS) database goes live – requiring landlords to register themselves, along with property details and compliance information.
2027 Renters’ Rights Act reforms will be introduced to the social rented sector.
April/May 2027 Deadline Government expects for the end-to-end digitisation of the courts.
2028 Expected date for the mandatory sign-up to the PRS Landlord Ombudsman.