Landlord Update Bulletin – Renters’ Rights Bill Receives Royal Assent

Dear Valued Clients,

 

We’re writing to bring you up to speed on the Renters’ Rights Act (formerly the Renters’ Rights Bill), which has now been granted Royal Assent, and what this means for you as a landlord following a transition period expected within the next six months.

 

While the Bill is now law implementation dates and detailed regulations are yet to be confirmed, and the Government is under pressure to provide clear timelines.

 

⚖️ Key Legal Changes

The Act includes reforms that will directly affect you as a  private landlord:

• Abolition of Section 21 “no-fault” evictions – you will need to rely on prescribed grounds under Section 8 to regain possession.
• Stricter notice periods and new procedures for possession.
• Twelve-month restriction on re-letting where you have served notice to sell.
• Mandatory rent review process via Section 13 only — removing the ability to rely on contractual rent reviews or index-linked clauses.
• Restrictions on deposits and advance rent payments, aimed at improving affordability but potentially limiting flexibility for both landlords and tenants.

 

🧭 What Happens Next

Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook has not yet announced the implementation schedule, we expect at least six months’ notice before the new system takes effect to allow landlords, agents, and tenants to adjust, perhaps a phased introduction, starting with new tenancies & followed by existing tenancies at a later stage.

Further statutory guidance and secondary legislation will set out the precise procedure for new possession grounds, rent review disputes, and transitional arrangements and we will continue to keep you updated.

 

🏠 What This Means for you as Landlords

While headlines may sound daunting, it’s important to remember:

• The Bill targets rogue practices, not you as responsible and professional landlords.
• Good management and compliance remain the foundation of successful letting. With professional management and compliance support, you as responsible landlords can continue to let safely and profitably.
• Rental demand remains high, supporting strong yields despite regulation.

 

Our management team will continue to:

• Monitor legal developments and provide timely updates as regulations are released.
• Assist you with tenancy transitions, ensuring compliance with the new notice and rent review rules.
• Advise on possession strategies under the new Section 8 framework.
• Support documentation updates to tenancy agreements and management practices.
• Maximise rental performance despite regulatory change

 

We believe these changes reinforce the value of professional letting and management. With our proactive compliance systems, legal partnerships, and experienced team, we’ll help landlords adapt confidently and continue achieving strong returns while remaining fully compliant.

 

As the leading agent in the area, we will of course provide further briefings once implementation dates are confirmed, Regards, Chan