Renters Rights Act 2025
UK legislation that received Royal Assent in 2025 and came fully into force on 1 May 2026. Abolished Section 21 no-fault evictions, converted all ASTs to periodic tenancies, extended the Decent Homes Standard to the PRS, introduced a private rented sector database and gave tenants the right to request pets.
At a glance
- Royal Assent
- 2025
- In force
- 1 May 2026
- Section 21
- Abolished
- Decent Homes Standard
- Extended to PRS
- New PRS database
- Yes
Full guide
Read the complete landlord guide on Renters Rights Act 2025
Deadlines, fines and step-by-step compliance in our in-depth resource.
Open full guideWhy Renters Rights Act 2025 matters for landlords
The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 is the biggest single shift in English private-rented law since the Housing Act 1988. Its full effect on 1 May 2026 — abolishing Section 21, converting all ASTs to periodic, extending DHS, launching the PRS database and mandatory redress — means every landlord template, operational process and cash-flow assumption needs reviewing. The legislation is long; the practical reality is that a landlord’s 2025 operating manual is mostly obsolete in 2026.
Official sources
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Related terms
Periodic Tenancy
A tenancy that continues from period to period (usually monthly) with no fixed end date. From 1 May 2026 all assured tenancies in England are periodic by default under the Renters Rights Act 2025. Tenants can end the tenancy with two months' notice.
Written Statement of Tenancy
Under the Renters Rights Act 2025, every landlord must give a new tenant a written statement of tenancy terms before or at the start of the tenancy, containing core information such as rent, deposit, landlord details and repair responsibilities.
Arrears (Rent Arrears)
Unpaid rent that is past its due date. Ground 8 of Schedule 2 to the Housing Act 1988 (mandatory) requires at least 3 months of rent arrears under the Renters Rights Act 2025 (previously 2 months). Grounds 10 and 11 remain as discretionary grounds.
AST (Assured Shorthold Tenancy)
The most common form of private tenancy in England. From 1 May 2026 all existing ASTs converted to assured periodic tenancies under the Renters Rights Act 2025, and new fixed-term ASTs can no longer be created for most residential lets.
Awaab's Law
Provisions extending to the private rented sector under the Renters Rights Act 2025 that set strict timescales for landlords to investigate and remedy hazards such as damp and mould. Named after Awaab Ishak. Breach can lead to tenant compensation and enforcement by the local housing authority.
Decent Homes Standard (DHS)
A government standard for minimum housing quality, extended to the private rented sector by the Renters Rights Act 2025. Properties must be free of Category 1 HHSRS hazards, in a reasonable state of repair, have reasonably modern facilities and provide reasonable thermal comfort.