The Renters' Right Act 2025: When It Starts And What You Need To Know

Big changes are coming for renters in England — and if you’ve heard talk of a new “Renters’ Law”, you might be wondering what it actually means for you.

The truth is, you don’t need to be a legal expert to understand what’s happening. The Government has passed a new law that’s designed to make renting fairer, safer, and more secure for tenants. But with so much jargon flying around — “no-fault evictions”, “periodic tenancies”, “commencement dates” — it can be hard to know when these changes actually start and what you should do before they do.

That’s why we’ve put together this simple guide. We’ll walk you through when the new law starts, what’s changing, and how you can prepare, all in plain English — so you can feel confident about what’s coming next.

What’s Going On?

You may have heard about changes coming to the rental market. These are being driven by the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 (formerly known as the Renters’ Reform Bill). It’s a major overhaul of renting law in England that aims to give tenants more stability and rights.

Here are the headline changes:

• The law received Royal Assent (was officially passed) on 27 October 2025.
• Just because it’s become law doesn’t mean everything immediately changes. The Government will set a “commencement date” (or dates) for when the new rules kick in.
• Some early changes may happen fairly soon, but the full rollout is expected during 2026.

When Will It Really Start for You as a Tenant?

Because these changes are huge, the Government is allowing some time for landlords, letting agents and tenants (that’s you!) to prepare. Here’s a simple timeline:

• Now (late 2025): The law is officially on the books. The old rules still apply until the new ones come into force.
• During 2026 (approx): Many of the key changes will become active — such as abolishing “no-fault” evictions and switching to rolling tenancies.
• Existing & new tenancies: Once the commencement date hits, both new and existing tenancies will fall under the new system.

So in short: you don’t need to panic today, but you do need to know that things will change — and it’s smart to be prepared.

What Are the Biggest Changes You Should Know About?

Here’s what will impact you most as a tenant.

✅ End of “No-Fault” Evictions

Landlords will no longer be able to evict you without giving a reason. Instead, they’ll have to use specific legal grounds (like rent arrears or needing to live in the property themselves).
What this means: You’ll have more security and fewer surprise evictions.

✅ All Tenancies Become “Rolling”

Fixed-term tenancies will move to a rolling month-by-month format.
What this means: More flexibility for tenants to stay or leave when ready.

✅ Fairer Rent Increases

Landlords must follow new rules on how and when rent can rise — and you’ll be able to challenge unfair increases.
What this means: Better protection against sudden or steep rent hikes.

✅ More Fairness in Applications

The law will stop landlords from banning tenants with children or on benefits, give you the right to request a pet, and ban rent-bidding wars.
What this means: Renting should become fairer and more transparent.

✅ Better Housing Standards

Landlords will need to meet higher property standards under the “Decent Homes Standard”.
What this means: You’ll have stronger rights to demand safe, well-maintained homes.

What Should You Do Now to Be Ready?

Check your tenancy agreement. Know your notice period, rent increase terms, and renewal clauses.

Keep records. Photos, repair requests, and messages with your landlord can protect you later.

Talk to your landlord or agent. Ask how they plan to handle the law change if you’re renewing soon.

Stay informed. Follow trusted sources for updates on when the changes take effect.

What Won’t Change Overnight

Your current tenancy will continue under the existing rules until the new law takes effect, and the changes will be introduced gradually rather than all at once. The new rules apply only in England, as Scotland and Wales already have their own systems. Landlords will still retain important rights, but the overall balance is shifting to make renting fairer for tenants.

The Bottom Line

The new renters’ law is great news for tenants — giving you more stability, fairer treatment, and stronger rights. It’s not here just yet, but it’s on the way.

If you’re unsure about your current tenancy or want to understand how the new rules might affect you, Marks Out of Tenancy is here to help. We’ll keep breaking down the legal jargon and helping you understand your rights, step by step.