Worried About the New Rental Laws? Here’s How Chancellors Helps You Stay Compliant.
As the UK rental sector prepares for major changes in 2025, with the Renters’ Right Bill due to come into effect between October 2025 to January 2026, landlords need to be ready.
The Renters Reform Bill 2025, often referred to as the Renters’ Rights Bill, is set to transform the relationship between landlords and tenants which will see the abolishing of Section 21 “no-fault” evictions, introduce new tenancy structures, and increase tenant rights. Something many tenants that have been requesting for quite some time now.
For landlords, tenants, and letting agents, this new legislation means navigating a more regulated landscape and doing so without legal or financial risks. Whether you’re an experienced landlord or considering switching letting agents, this guide will explain everything you need to know about the Renters Reform Bill and how Chancellors’ expert property management services can support you every step of the way.
CONTENTS:
- What is the Renters Reform Bill?
- Key Changes Landlords Should Prepare For
- How to Prepare for the Renters Reform Bill?
- Why Lettings Management Matters More Than Ever?
What Is the Renters Reform Bill 2025?
The Renters Reform Bill is a piece of legislation introduced to Parliament on September 11, 2024, by the UK Government aimed at giving more power or security for tenants in the private rented sector. It builds on proposals originally outlined in the 2022 White Paper, “A Fairer Private Rented Sector,” and introduces sweeping reforms to how landlords manage tenancies. Ultimately, more rights to remain in their homes, or leave them if the properties are not safe or fit for habitation.
Key Changes Landlords Need to Prepare For
1. Abolition of Section 21: No-Fault Evictions Scrapped
The biggest and most talked about change is the end of Section 21 evictions, or “no-fault” notices. UK landlords will no longer be able to evict tenants without providing a specific reason.
What does this mean for landlords?
- You must use Section 8 with valid grounds to regain possession of your properties (e.g. rent arrears, anti-social behaviour).
- Evictions will need supporting evidence to back this up and be more reliant on the court process.
- Timely property management and accurate documentation will be essential.
How Can Chancellors Help?
- Our Rent Guarantee Scheme protects you from loss of income due to missed rent or legal delays.
- Our experienced team manages all legal compliance and documentation to ensure evictions (where necessary) are handled within the legal framework.
2. Introduction of a Single System of Periodic Tenancies
All assured shorthold tenancies (ASTs) will be replaced with rolling periodic tenancies, meaning tenants can leave with two months’ notice at any given time, but landlords must follow stricter grounds to regain possession to their property.
What is the Impact on landlords?
- No fixed-term agreements.
- Less predictability on tenancy lengths.
- Greater reliance on tenant satisfaction and efficient property upkeep, which could become more costly depending on the severity of upkeep needed.
How Can Chancellors Help?
- Our Property Management Services ensure properties are maintained to high standards and tenants are proactively managed. We work closely with trusted specialists to achieve this.
- Happy tenants are less likely to leave the property, meaning better retention even without fixed term contracts.
- We take care of all repairs and maintenance and have a 24/7 emergency repair service to give you peace of mind.
- We can even take care of empty properties, and full refurbish existing ones.
3. Stronger Grounds for Section 8 Evictions (But Stricter Requirements)
- Although Section 21 is being removed, Section 8 is being strengthened. New grounds are being added to allow landlords to regain possession if they wish to, sell the property, move in themselves or with family, and reclaim rent arrears.
What does this mean for landlords?
- These grounds still require you to follow due process and provide adequate evidence.
- Repossession under these grounds is subject to minimum time periods and notice.
How Can Chancellors Help?
We provide full legal support, tenancy reviews, and serve notices on your behalf to ensure full compliance.
Find out about our full range of landlord services and how we can help you.
4. A New Private Renters’ Ombudsman
The Renters Reform Bill 2025 introduces a new mandatory Ombudsman scheme to handle disputes between landlords and tenants.
What does this mean for landlords?
- All private landlords must register with the new Private Rented Sector Landlord Ombudsman Service.
- The Ombudsman will offer binding dispute resolution.
- This is intended to reduce court cases but will still require evidence and professionalism throughout any potential disputes.
What You’ll Need:
- Proper tenancy documentation, property details, as well as name, address and contact information.
- Proof of maintenance and communication logs. Chancellors suggest to document everything between yourself, your property manager, and tenants, whether this be via email, text, or other means. This is evidence to help you with any potential problems down the line.
How Can Chancellors Help?
- Our property management system keeps full records and audit trails, so you don’t have to.
- We act as the communication liaison with the tenants, making sure disputes are resolved before escalation is needed.
5. Rent Increase Rules and Tenancy Transparency
The Renters’ Right Bill introduces limits on how often rent can be increased and enforces greater transparency about property conditions and landlord obligations. There is further security for tenants, allowing them to ‘challenge unfair rent increases without the fear of eviction’.
This doesn’t mean landlords are unable to increase their rents, because they can. There are no limitations in the bill that prevent this. However, it prevents landlords from drastically increasing rents well above the market asking price to push or price existing tenants out of the property.
An independent tribunal can make judgements on this if necessary.
What does this mean for landlords?
- Clear justification for rent increases.
- More stringent property condition reports.
- EPC and licensing compliance.
How Can Chancellors Help?
- At Chancellors we handle rent reviews in line with market data and new laws.
- We ensure all landlord responsibilities are met from licensing to inspections
6. Rent in Advanced Limitations
The Renters’ Right Bill will see the end of landlords demanding large and extortionate amounts of rent from tenants in advance. This is incredibly unfair practice to potential tenants seeking secure property and can also mean some tenants with limited cash flow as it is, may struggle even more financially.
The Tenant Fees Act 2019 will be amended to prevent landlords and letting agents from ‘requiring or accepting any payment of rent in advance of the tenancy being entered into. A landlord will only be able to require up to one month’s rent (or 28 days’ rent for tenancies with rental periods of less than one month) once a tenancy agreement has been signed and before commencement.’
What does this mean for landlords?
- Landlords can’t charge more than one month’s rent upfront as a deposit.
- Landlords will not require a deposit unless a tenancy agreement has been signed, and until the tenancy is entered.
How Can Chancellors Help?
- At Chancellors our dedicated team are well versed on existing and new legislations and work very closely with specialists to ensure all legal compliance is handled correctly and adhered to.
How to Prepare for the Renters Reform Bill in 2025
With the Renters’ Rights Bill 2025 expected to receive Royal Assent before Parliament’s summer recess (likely some point in July 2025), landlords need to start preparing now. Although some reforms will come into force quicker than others, such as the abolition of Section 21 and the introduction of periodic tenancies, other measures may be introduced in stages between late 2025 and early 2026.
Here’s what landlords should be doing right now to stay ahead of the curve.
- Review all tenancy agreements and prepare to move to periodic terms.
- Ensure your eviction processes are legally sound.
- Keep accurate property and communication records.
- Consider professional property management to stay compliant.
- Review your financial protection (e.g. rent guarantees, landlord insurance).
1. Review Existing Tenancy Agreements
All tenancies will be moving to rolling periodic contracts, replacing fixed terms. Tenants will be free to give two months’ notice at any point, while landlords must use approved grounds to regain possession.
Landlord Action: Audit your current tenancy agreements and be ready to adapt them in line with new and upcoming legislation. Work with a professional letting agent, like Chancellors, to implement compliant terms and provide clarity for tenants.
2. Understand and Update Eviction Processes
With Section 21 notices being abolished, all future evictions will rely on Section 8 grounds, including new provisions such as selling the property or moving in yourself.
Landlord Action: Familiarise yourself with the updated Section 8 rules and ensure you have documented grounds and evidence for any future repossession, otherwise you may face legal fees and additional complications as a result.
3. Eliminate Discriminatory Letting Policies
This Bill will make it illegal for landlords to apply blanket bans on tenants with children or those receiving benefits (often referred to as “No DSS” policies) and can’t just refuse tenants with pets. You can though request additional insurance to be taken out to cover any potential damages that may occur.
These practices will be classed as unlawful discrimination.
Landlord Action: Review your advertising and vetting processes to ensure they are inclusive and legally compliant. Lettings should be based on affordability and references, not source of income, family status, religions, background, and whether they have a pet or not. Choosing a lettings agent like Chancellors can manage this entire process for you.
4. Improve Record-Keeping and Communication
The introduction of the Private Renters’ Ombudsman and a more transparent framework means that dispute resolution will rely extremely heavily on documented communication, inspections, and compliance.
Landlord Action: Implement reliable systems for storing tenant records, maintenance logs, inspections, and communications. Collate any form of communication, whether it’s email, text, letters, and so on. Our professional property management service can help automate this for you.
5. Reassess Your Financial Protection
With much longer legal processes and even stronger tenant rights, income interruption risks will rise. If a tenant stops paying rent or disputes an eviction, you could face months without income. This needs to be considered, especially where you may have empty and vacant periods.
Landlord Action: Protect yourself with a Chancellors Rent Guarantee Scheme and ensure you have up to date Landlord Insurance that covers legal disputes, damage, and liability under the new bill.
6. Plan for a Staged Implementation
While the main reforms are expected to go live between October 2025 and January 2026, not all parts of the Bill will be implemented at once.
Landlord Action: Stay informed about the rollout and work with a letting agent (like Chancellors) who will track legal updates for you, ensuring you’re never caught off guard.
Why Professional Lettings Management Matters More Than Ever
With more complexity, more regulation, and tighter tenant rights, landlords can no longer afford DIY management or agents who aren’t fully compliant.
Chancellors offers a complete landlords lettings solution designed to help landlords thrive in 2025 and beyond:
Switching Letting Agents in 2025?
If you’re currently managing your own property or unhappy with your existing agent, now is the time to switch. With the Renters Reform Bill about to go live, switching to a reliable agent like Chancellors ensures you stay protected, profitable, and on the right side of the law.
Be Ready, Be Informed, Be Protected.
The Renters Reform Bill 2025 is a game-changer for the industry, and whilst it may seem very stressful currently, it doesn’t need to be a setback. With the right support, landlords can continue to let properties successfully, retain good tenants, and protect their investments.
At Chancellors, we take care of the details so you can enjoy peace of mind.
Get in touch with our team today for tailored property management, financial protection, and legal compliance. View our full set of landlord services and see how Chancellors can help you thrive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is replacing Section 21 evictions?
A: Section 8 notices will be used instead, requiring landlords to cite a valid legal reason for ending a tenancy, such as rent arrears, antisocial behaviour, or intent to sell the property.
Q: Will fixed-term tenancies still exist?
A: No, all tenancies will move to periodic agreements. Tenants can give two months’ notice, and landlords must follow new rules to reclaim possession.
Q: How can I protect myself financially as a landlord?
A: Chancellors’ Rent Guarantee Scheme ensures your rental income continues even during legal proceedings or missed rent periods.
Q: Do I need to join the Renters’ Ombudsman?
A: Yes, all landlords will need to register. This helps resolve disputes without the need for court, but you’ll need strong recordkeeping and compliance.
