Latest Update On Renters Rights Bill

Latest Update on the Renters’ Rights Bill

Reforms to the private rented sector have been looming for some time, with the previous government’s proposed Renters (Reform) Bill first being mentioned as far back as 2019. The change in government stopped the previous plans in their tracks but the Labour government made it clear early on that they wanted to introduce their own reforms under the Renters’ Rights Bill (RRB).

The RRB includes a vast range of changes, from new rent increase rules to the introduction of Awaab’s Law and the Decent Homes Standard into the private rented sector. It is no surprise that such a big overhaul of legislation is taking a significant amount of time to move through the various stages before being passed into law.

What is the Latest Update from the Renters’ Rights Bill?

For landlords who have been waiting for updates, the latest news is that the next stage was completed on 21 July 2025. On this date, the final stage of the passage through the House of Lords was finalised with the Third Reading of the Bill.

It is now expected that the RRB will receive Royal Assent prior to the conference recess on 16 September. There have been several amendments to the Bill, including removal of pet insurance requirements for tenants, with a successful vote to replace this with a specific pet deposit of up to three weeks’ rent.

The Bill now consists of 266 pages, which has been extended from the original 206 pages of the Renters (Reform) Bill. The government has pledged to allow sufficient time to allow landlords to prepare for the changes, with a likely date for commencement to be between spring and summer 2026.

Preparing for the Renters’ Rights Bill

To get prepared for the upcoming reforms, landlords can start to prepare now. These are some of the actions that will help you plan for the changes:

1.     Understanding the changes

The starting point for preparing for the introduction of the RRB is to get familiar with the incoming changes. The key points to get up to speed with include:

·      Abolishment of Section 21 evictions

·      Extension of Awaab’s Law into the private rented sector

·      All tenancies to be periodic

·      The Decent Homes Standard to be extended to the private rented sector

·      Introduction of new a landlord ombudsman and database

·      Limitations to rent increases

·      New tenants’ rights to keep pets

·      Ban of rent bidding wars

·      It will be illegal to discriminate against accepting tenants on benefits or who have children

·      Larger fines from local authorities for non-compliant landlords

·      Rent Repayment Orders increased for re-offending landlords

2.     Update tenancy agreements

Many of the changes will require amendments to tenancy agreements, so you should also review your tenancy agreements to check whether updates are required. The biggest change will be to any fixed term tenancies, as these will need to be replaced with periodic tenancy agreements. You’ll also need to review any rent increase clauses and any other details that are being impacted by the RRB.

3.     Review property conditions and make improvements if necessary

The new rules under Awaab’s Law and the Decent Homes Standard mean that landlords will need to ensure properties meet the required standards. You can read through the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) to get a better idea of the standards that need to be met. If there are any areas that need attention, making improvements prior to the new legislation coming into force will help you to avoid any potential issues.

Don’t worry if you are feeling a bit overwhelmed by all the new legislation changes, we’re here to help. We offer property management services across Somerset and the South West and we will be able to support you in preparation for the raft of incoming changes. Contact us to find out more about our services.