A Major Shift for Landlords with the Renters Rights
The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 officially received Royal Assent on 27 October 2025 , marking a major milestone in reforming the private rented sector.
The Government’s Renters Rights Bill has officially transformed the private rental sector, abolishing Section 21 “no-fault” evictions , strengthening renters’ rights, and setting higher property standards.
For landlords, this marks a turning point. While the new laws introduce tighter regulations, they also encourage a more professional, transparent, and fair rental environment, one where landlords and tenants can enjoy longer, more stable relationships.
At MorfittSmith , we’re committed to helping you navigate these changes with confidence and clarity.
1. The End of Section 21 “No-Fault” Evictions
The most headline-grabbing reform is the formal abolition of Section 21 , which previously allowed landlords to regain possession without stating a reason.
Moving forward, landlords must use defined legal grounds for possession, such as selling the property, moving in, rent arrears, or antisocial behaviour.
While this change removes one of the sector’s most familiar tools, it also helps create greater tenant stability , reducing short-term churn and promoting more consistent rental income.
Our team will review every tenancy and ensure all documentation aligns with the new rules so you remain fully compliant.
2. New Tenancy Structures
Traditional Assured Shorthold Tenancies (ASTs) will be replaced by periodic tenancies that automatically renew each month unless the tenant or landlord provides notice under defined conditions.
This will simplify renewals and reduce administrative burdens over time, while requiring clear record-keeping and up-to-date paperwork.
We’ll ensure your tenancy agreements, notice templates, and internal procedures are updated ahead of the transition.
3. Fairer Living Standards and What They Mean for Landlords
The new Act extends the Decent Homes Standard to private rentals, ensuring all let properties meet higher expectations for quality, warmth, and safety.
For landlords, this means more emphasis on proactive maintenance and accurate documentation of compliance, including safety checks, repairs, and upgrades.
In addition, the reforms introduce several rules promoting fairer and more transparent renting , including:
Bans on rental bidding wars, tenants can’t be pressured into offering higher rents to secure a property.
Protection against discrimination, landlords can’t refuse tenants based on children or benefits.
Fairer access to homes with pets, tenants now have the right to request a pet , and landlords must consider these requests reasonably.
Landlords can still decline if there’s a legitimate reasons, such as building restrictions or health concerns, but refusals must be explained in writing. You can also request pet insurance to cover potential damage.
At MorfittSmith, we believe this change strikes a fair balance: tenants gain companionship, while landlords maintain protection and control.
4. New Regulatory and Oversight Framework
The Government is also creating new systems to improve transparency and dispute resolution:
A Private Rented Sector Database where all landlords and properties must be registered.
A Private Rented Sector Ombudsman to handle tenant complaints quickly and independently.
This framework rewards professionalism and well-organised landlords will find compliance easier than ever.
We’ll help ensure your portfolio data, tenancy records, and communication logs are ready for inclusion in these new systems.
5. What to Do Next
At MorfittSmith, we’re already preparing landlords for these upcoming changes. Here’s what we recommend:
Portfolio Audit: Review tenancy agreements, rent review records, maintenance logs, and compliance documentation.
Template Updates: We’ll update all agreements and notices to reflect the new rules.
Maintenance Review: Assess each property’s condition to ensure it meets the new Decent Homes Standard .
Policy on Pets: Decide how you’ll approach pet requests and set clear, fair guidelines.
Stay Informed: Join our free landlord webinar for ongoing updates as the Government phases in the new rules. And keep your eyes open for our free Renters Rights Bill Seminars Hosted in Sheffield United.
Take a look at some of our other blogs about the Renters Rights Bill and compliance here and here
Preparing for a Fairer Rental Future
The end of Section 21 may feel like a significant shift, but with careful planning, it also presents an opportunity to strengthen your portfolio and build better tenant relationships .
By embracing the new standards, from fairer tenancy structures to pet-friendly policies, landlords can position themselves as trusted, responsible professionals in a more transparent market.
At Morfittsmith , we’ll guide you through every step to ensure your properties remain compliant, competitive, and profitable in this new era of renting.
Find further information on the Gov.uk website