New Renters Rights Bill ushers in biggest shake-up in decades

The Renters Rights Bill has been hailed as the most significant reform of the private rental sector in more than 30 years, promising stronger protections for millions of tenants across England.

The legislation, formally approved on Monday, will transform how homes are let by scrapping fixed-term contracts in favour of rolling tenancies, ending no-fault evictions, and introducing new rules on rent increases and housing standards. The government has said the measures will give tenants greater security and flexibility while tackling poor-quality housing.

Under the new framework, tenants will be able to stay in their homes indefinitely unless they choose to give two months’ notice to leave. Landlords will be barred from evicting tenants without a valid reason during the first year and must give at least four months’ notice thereafter if they intend to sell or move back in.

The Bill will also ban so-called “bidding wars,” requiring landlords to list a set asking price rather than encouraging renters to offer above it.

Average private rents in the UK rose by 5.5% to £1,354 in the year to September 2025, underlining the financial strain facing households. Advocates say the new rules are designed to offer stability at a time when housing pressures are acute.

A Decent Homes Standard will also be introduced, backed by Awaab’s Law, which requires landlords to fix health and safety hazards within a set timeframe. Tenants will be able to challenge unreasonable refusals to keep pets, while discrimination against renters with children or those receiving benefits will be outlawed.

Landlords will still be able to evict tenants who damage property, commit antisocial behaviour or fall into serious rent arrears. However, the mandatory arrears threshold has been increased from two to three months’ rent, and landlords will need to follow a more structured legal process.

Tom Darling, Director of the Renters Reform Coalition, said abolishing Section 21 evictions would give tenants “real security in their house.”

For many renters, the changes can’t come soon enough. Elizabeth Sugden, 35, from Manchester, who was served a Section 21 notice last year, said: “It’s literally ruined my life. It feels like our lives are on hold because we can’t move forward with anything.”

Landlord groups, however, have voiced concern about the implications for the sector. Chris Norris of the National Residential Landlords Association warned that the changes could lead to more stringent tenant screening and increased pressure on the courts. Others, like long-time landlord Maureen Treadwell, fear it may discourage landlords from renting to lower-income tenants altogether.

Full details of the new rules and timelines for implementation can be found in the official government guidance.

For more independent coverage of London’s housing and legal stories, follow EyeOnLondon. We’d love to hear your views in the comments.

Follow us on:

Subscribe to our YouTube channel for the latest videos and updates!

We value your thoughts! Share your feedback and help us make EyeOnLondon even better!