Tenant’s Rights Under the Renters' Rights Bill (2025)
The Renters' Rights Bill (2025) is designed to make renting fairer and more secure for tenants. If you are currently renting or thinking about renting in the future, it's important to understand how these new rules will affect you. This guide breaks down your new rights and protections in a clear and easy-to-understand way.
Your Key Rights Under the New Bill
Protection from No-Fault Evictions
- Landlords can no longer evict tenants without a valid reason. The Bill abolishes Section 21 evictions, meaning landlords must now provide a legitimate ground for possession.
- If tenants are paying rent and following the tenancy agreement, they have more security in their home.
Abolition of Fixed-Term Contracts
- The Bill replaces fixed-term tenancies with a single system of periodic tenancies (rolling contracts).
- This means all tenancies will continue indefinitely unless the tenant chooses to leave or the landlord has a valid reason to end the tenancy
- Tenants will be able to give two months’ notice at any time to end their tenancy, offering greater flexibility to move when needed, without being locked into long contracts.
- Without fixed end dates or “no-fault” evictions, tenants can stay in their homes longer without fear of being asked to leave arbitrarily.
Stronger Notice Periods for Evictions – The introduction of Periodic Tenancies
- Fixed-term assured tenancies will be replaced by periodic tenancies. This gives tenants more flexibility, allowing them to end their tenancy with two months' notice, while landlords must provide legitimate reasons for termination.
- If a landlord needs to evict a tenant for a legitimate reason, they must give the tenant more notice.
- The Renters' Rights Bill introduces more structured and fair notice periods, especially when landlords are reclaiming property for sale or personal use. This gives tenants more time to find a new place to live and make necessary arrangements. See our Guide to Notice Periods.
Fairer Rent Increases
- Landlords must follow stricter guidelines when increasing rent.
- Tenants will receive proper notice before any rent increase and it is proposed that landlords can only increase the rent once per year.
- Tenants can challenge excessive rent hikes through a tribunal, especially if they appear to be a form of “backdoor eviction”.
Improved Housing Standards
- Landlords must maintain a higher standard of living in rental properties.
- All rental properties must meet the Decent Homes Standard, which includes being free from serious health hazards, in a reasonable state of repair, and having modern facilities. This ensures tenants live in safe and habitable conditions
- The Renters' Rights Bill strengthens enforcement powers for local councils and introduces a Private Rented Sector Landlord Ombudsman to handle complaints.
Easier-to-Understand Tenancy Agreements
- The new system aims to standardise and simplify tenancy agreements, making them easier to understand and reducing the risk of hidden or unfair clauses.
- No more confusing or unfair clauses buried in the fine print.
- Simplified agreements reduce confusion and make it easier for tenants to understand their rights and responsibilities.
Enhanced Protection Against Discrimination
- The legislation prohibits discrimination against tenants based on their receipt of benefits or familial status, ensuring equal opportunity and inclusivity within the housing sector
Stronger Legal Support for Tenants
- Tenants will have more ways to challenge unfair evictions or poor housing conditions. In time, local councils and tenant advocacy groups will have more resources to help renters.
How These Changes Benefit You
More Stability
More Transparency
Better Living Conditions
Stronger Legal Protections
More Stability
More Transparency
Better Living Conditions
Stronger Legal Protections
To stay informed about your rights, check out these related guides
Enhanced Protection against discrimination for Tenants
Renting with pets - Your rights
Renters Rights Bill FAQs For Tenants
These are some of the most commonly asked questions about the Renters Rights Bill and how it impacts tenants.
Section 21 allowed landlords to evict tenants without giving a reason. Under the new bill, landlords must now provide a valid legal reason to evict, giving tenants more stability and protection from retaliatory evictions.
No. The bill abolishes Section 21 “no-fault” evictions. Landlords must now provide a valid legal reason (e.g. selling the property, moving in, serious rent arrears) to end a tenancy
All tenancies will become periodic, meaning:
- There continue indefinitely until the tenant chooses to leave, or the landlord regains possession through legal grounds.
- Tenants will need to give two months’ notice
This gives tenants more flexibility and reduces the risk of being locked into unsuitable long-term contracts.
All tenancies will become periodic, meaning:
- No fixed end date
- You can leave with two months’ notice
- Landlords must follow legal grounds to ask you to leave
No. Rent increases are limited to once per year and must follow a formal process:
- You must receive two months’ notice
- You can challenge excessive increases at a tribunal
The bill strengthens protections against retaliatory evictions. If you report poor conditions, your landlord cannot evict you in response.
You’ll be given more time to find a new home, and landlords must provide evidence of their intent. This is to prevent misuse of these grounds
Tenants can give two months’ notice at any time under the new periodic tenancy system.
Landlords must give at least four months’ notice in most cases, and they must have a valid reason (e.g., selling the property, moving in themselves, or serious breaches of tenancy).
The bill introduces minimum housing standards and a new Private Rented Sector Ombudsman. You can raise complaints and expect a fair, binding resolution.
The bill strengthens tenant protections, allowing you to report poor conditions without fear of eviction.
- Know your rights under the new law
- Keep records of rent payments and communications
- Don’t hesitate to report unsafe or poor conditions
- Stay informed as the bill progresses into law (expected summer 2025)