What Is the Renters Rights Act 2025?

The Renters Rights Act 2025 is the government’s long-awaited overhaul of the private rented sector. It replaces parts of the scrapped Renters’ Reform Bill but keeps the core mission: rebalance rights and responsibilities across the rental chain, strengthen stability for tenants, and bring more clarity and accountability for landlords.

The Act focuses on security of tenure, fairer eviction processes, clearer property standards, and modernised digital compliance. It’s a structural shift not just tweaks, and will shape how renting works for the next decade.

What This Means for Landlords

The Act tightens compliance but also simplifies parts of the process. Key points:

1. Section 21 is permanently gone but Section 8 is strengthened

"Reason-based" evictions are now the standard. Grounds such as selling the property, moving in family, or serious rent arrears have clearer thresholds and faster tribunal pathways.

Impact:

• Less uncertainty for tenants, but landlords must keep documentation airtight.

• Expect higher scrutiny on evidence, timelines, inspection notes, and rent-arrears logs.

2. Mandatory Digital Property Records

Every rental home needs a single digital compliance pack: EPC, gas safety, EICR, How to Rent, evidence of repairs, and licensing (if applicable). All documents must be accessible before move-in.

Impact:

• Easier long-term management, but more front-loaded effort.

• Gaps in maintenance records can now be used as grounds to challenge evictions.

3. New ‘Decent Homes Standard’ for the PRS

Landlords must meet a baseline level of property condition similar to social housing. Damp, mould, heating, insulation, and structural issues must be proactively addressed not just repaired when raised.

Impact:

• Higher expectations for preventative maintenance.

• Landlords with aging stock need a plan for upgrades.

4. Rent increases require formal notice and justification

No more informal mid-tenancy increases. Rent reviews must follow the new statutory form, including rationale and market comparables.

Impact:

• Slows down arbitrary rent hikes.

• Encourages transparent market-based pricing.

What This Means for Tenants

Tenants gain more stability, better standards, and clearer protections.

1. Stronger security of tenure

Without Section 21, tenants can’t be removed without a valid reason. This reduces “no-fault” evictions and helps people stay in homes longer.

2. Right to request pet permission (with conditions)

Landlords must consider pet requests fairly. Insurance requirements can be added, but blanket bans are no longer allowed.

3. Faster enforcement and repairs

Local authorities receive increased funding to enforce property standards and issue fines. Tenants can escalate unresolved issues through a simplified digital route.

4. Transparency on move-in and move-out costs

The Act continues the Tenant Fees framework:

• No admin fees

• No renewal fees

• Clear rules on deposit deductions

• Digital move-in documents to avoid disputes

5. Rent increase protections

A structured notice period plus the ability to challenge unfair increases through tribunal.

Going Forward The Impact on the Rental Market

The Act pushes the industry toward professionalism. Expect:

• Consolidation of smaller landlords who struggle with compliance

• Higher tenant expectations around repairs and communication

• Growth in digital systems that automate paperwork, licensing, and maintenance workflows

• Increased focus on transparent data, records, and audit trails

The landlords who will thrive are the ones who modernise early, tightening record-keeping, centralising communication, and treating property like an operational business rather than an informal side activity.

How Houseshare Helps Landlords & Tenants Navigate All This

The Renters Rights Act 2025 introduces more documentation, more rules, and more accountability. Houseshare is built for exactly this moment. Our AI assistant Maisie helps guide you in app with all your queries and operations.

For landlords:

• Digital compliance packs stored automatically

• Maintenance triage with AI to reduce risk and speed up fixes

• Rent tracking, documents, and communication in one place

• Property-by-property audit trails that align with the Act’s expectations

For tenants:

• A single dashboard for payments, maintenance, and agreements

• Transparent communication with landlords

• Clear record of repairs, updates, and rental history

The rental market is shifting and those who adapt fastest will benefit most.

Try the new Houseshare web platform at beta.houseshare.ai and make compliance, communication, and management effortless.