Legislation – Renters’ Rights Act 2025

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Introduction

Part 1
Tenancy reform

Chapter 1 Assured tenancies

End of certain kinds of assured tenancy

1 Assured tenancies to be periodic with rent period not exceeding a month

2 Abolition of assured shorthold tenancies

Grounds for possession

3 Changes to grounds for possession

4 Possession for anti-social behaviour: relevant factors

5 Form of notice of proceedings for possession

Rent and other terms

6 Statutory procedure for increases of rent

7 Challenging amount or increase of rent

8 Prohibition of rent in advance after lease entered into (except initial rent)

9 Prohibition of rent in advance before lease entered into

10 Repayment of rent paid for days after end of tenancy

11 Right to request permission to keep a pet

Duties of landlords etc

12 Duty of landlord and contractor to give statement of terms etc

13 Other duties

14 Landlords acting through others

Landlords etc: financial penalties and offences

15 Landlords etc: financial penalties and offences

16 Financial penalties: procedure, appeals and enforcement

Landlords etc: supplementary

17 Duties of landlords etc, penalties and offences: interpretation

18 No criminal liability of the Crown under Part 1 of 1988 Act

19 Guarantor not liable for rent payable after tenant’s death

Other changes

20 Notices to quit by tenants under assured tenancies: timing

21 Notices to quit by tenants under assured tenancies: other

22 Limitation on obligation to pay removal expenses

23 Assured agricultural occupancies: grounds for possession

24 Assured agricultural occupancies: opting out etc

25 Accommodation for homeless people: duties of local authority

26 Tenancy deposit requirements

27 Tenant fees

Other amendments

28 Liability of tenants under assured tenancies for council tax

29 Other amendments

Powers of Secretary of State

30 Powers of Secretary of State in connection with Chapter 1

Chapter 2 Tenancies that cannot be assured tenancies

31 Long tenancies and financial services products

32 Accommodation for homeless people or students

Chapter 3 Discrimination in the rental market: England

Discrimination and discriminatory terms: children and benefits status

33 Discrimination relating to children

34 Discrimination relating to benefits status

35 Discriminatory terms in a tenancy relating to children or benefits status

36 Terms in superior leases relating to children or benefits status

37 Terms in mortgages relating to children or benefits status

38 Terms in insurance contracts relating to children or benefits status

Discrimination and discriminatory terms: power to protect others

39 Power of the Secretary of State to protect others

Discrimination: financial penalties

40 Financial penalties for breach of anti-discrimination provisions

Supplementary

41 No prohibition on taking income into account

42 Interpretation of Chapter 3

Chapter 4 Discrimination in the rental market: Wales

Prohibitions of discrimination

43 Discrimination relating to children or benefits status: Welsh language

44 Discrimination relating to children or benefits status: English language

45 Amendment of short title of Renting Homes (Fees etc.) (Wales) Act 2019

Discriminatory terms

46 Amendments of Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 regarding discrimination

Supplementary

47 Power of Welsh Ministers to protect others

48 Power of Secretary of State to protect others

49 Regulations

Chapter 5 Discrimination in the rental market: Scotland

Discrimination and discriminatory terms: children and benefits status

50 Discrimination relating to children or benefits status

51 Terms in standard securities relating to children or benefits status

52 Terms in insurance contracts relating to children or benefits status

Discrimination and discriminatory terms: power to protect others

53 Power of Scottish Ministers to protect others

54 Power of Secretary of State to protect others

Supplementary

55 Interpretation of Chapter 5

Chapter 6 Stating the proposed rent and rental bidding

56 Requirement to state rent and to avoid rental bidding

57 Financial penalties

Chapter 7 Miscellaneous

58 Penalties for unlawful eviction or harassment of occupier

59 Abandoned premises under assured shorthold tenancies

60 Remedying of hazards occurring in dwelling-houses in England

61 Remedying of hazards occurring in accommodation in England occupied under licence

62 Student accommodation that is not an HMO

Part 2
Residential landlords

Chapter 1 Meaning of “residential landlord”

63 Meaning of “residential landlord”

Chapter 2 Landlord redress schemes

Landlord redress schemes

64 Landlord redress schemes

65 Approval and designation of landlord redress schemes

66 Financial penalties

67 Offences

68 Decision under a landlord redress scheme may be made enforceable as if it were a court order

69 Landlord redress schemes: no Crown status

Guidance

70 Guidance for scheme administrator and local housing authority

Interpretation

71 Interpretation of Chapter 2

Related amendments

72 Housing activities under social rented sector scheme

73 Other amendments connected with landlord redress schemes

74 Local Commissioners’ investigation of complaints by persons who are not tenants

Chapter 3 The Private Rented Sector Database

The database and the database operator

75 The database

76 The database operator

Landlord and dwelling entries

77 Making entries in the database

78 Requirement to keep active entries up-to-date

79 Circumstances in which active entries become inactive and vice versa

80 Verification, correction and removal of entries

81 Fees for landlord and dwelling entries

Marketing, advertising and letting

82 Restrictions on marketing, advertising and letting dwellings

Entries relating to banning orders, offences, financial penalties, etc.

83 Entries relating to banning orders, offences, financial penalties, etc.

Further duties of database operator

84 Allocation of unique identifiers

85 Other duties

Access to and use of information in database

86 Access to the database

87 Disclosure by database operator etc

88 Use of information from the database

Removal of entries

89 Removal of entries from database

Enforcement

90 Restriction on gaining possession

91 Financial penalties

92 Offences

Final provisions

93 Power to direct database operator and local housing authorities

94 Entries under section 83: minor and consequential amendments

95 Different provision for different purposes: joint landlords

96 Interpretation of Chapter 3

Chapter 4 Part 2: supplementary provision

97 Financial assistance by Secretary of State

98 Rent repayment orders for offences under the Housing Act 1988 and sections 67 and 92 of this Act

99 Interpretation of Part 2

Part 3
Decent homes standard

100 Decent homes standard

101 The standard of MOD accommodation

Part 4
Enforcement

Chapter 1 Sanctions

102 Financial penalties

103 Rent repayment orders: liability of landlords and superior landlords

104 Rent repayment orders: liability of directors etc

105 Unlicensed HMOs and houses: offences

106 Service of improvement notices on landlords and licensors

Chapter 2 Enforcement authorities

107 Enforcement by local housing authorities: general duty

108 Enforcement by local housing authorities: duty to notify

109 Enforcement by county councils: duty to notify

110 Duty to report

111 Lead enforcement authority

112 General duties and powers of lead enforcement authority

113 Enforcement by the lead enforcement authority

Chapter 3 Investigatory powers

Investigatory powers under this Act

114 Power of local housing authority to require information from relevant person

115 Power of local housing authority to require information from any person

116 Enforcement of power to require information from any person

117 Limitation on use of information provided under section 115

118 Business premises: entry without warrant

119 Duties where occupiers are on business premises entered without warrant

120 Business premises: warrant authorising entry

121 Business premises: entry under warrant

122 Power to require production of documents following entry

123 Power to seize documents following entry

124 Access to seized documents

125 Appeal against detention of documents

126 Suspected residential tenancy: entry without warrant

127 Duties where occupiers are on residential premises entered without warrant

128 Suspected residential tenancy: warrant authorising entry

129 Suspected residential tenancy: entry under warrant

130 Powers of accompanying persons

131 Offences

132 Investigatory powers: interpretation

Amendments

133 Additional powers of seizure under Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001

134 Use by local housing authority of certain information

135 Investigatory powers under the Housing Act 2004

136 Client money protection schemes: investigatory powers of local authorities

Part 5
General

137 Interpretation

138 Crown application

139 Application to Parliament

140 Regulations

141 Power of Welsh Ministers to make consequential provision

142 Power of Scottish Ministers to make consequential provision

143 Power of Secretary of State to make consequential provision

144 Extent

145 Commencement

146 Existing assured tenancies to continue as section 4A assured tenancies

147 Fixed term assured tenancy and statutory periodic tenancy to be treated as single assured tenancy

148 Transitional provision

149 Short title

SCHEDULES

Schedule 1 Changes to grounds for possession

Schedule 2 Amendments relating to Chapter 1 of Part 1

Schedule 3 Amendments connected with landlord redress schemes

Schedule 4 Decent homes standard

Schedule 5 Financial penalties

Schedule 6 Transitional provision

Changes to legislation:

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Schedules

Schedule 3Amendments connected with landlord redress schemes

Section 73

Local Government Act 1974

1

The Local Government Act 1974 is amended in accordance with paragraphs 2 to 5.

Annotations:
Commencement Information

I1Sch. 3 para. 1 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 145(1)(7)

2

(1)

Section 33 (consultation between Local Commissioner and other Commissioners and Ombudsmen) is amended as follows.

(2)

In the heading, for the words from “Local Commissioner” to the end substitute “Local Commissioner and other appropriate persons”.

(3)

(a)

for the words from “subject of an investigation” to “about the matter and,” substitute “subject of a relevant investigation, the Local Commissioner shall consult with the appropriate person about the matter and,”;

(b)

for the words from “initiate a complaint” to the end substitute “initiate a relevant complaint in relation to which the person consulted would be the appropriate person”.

(4)

(a)

for the words from “the Parliamentary Commissioner” to “in relation to” substitute “an appropriate person in relation to”;

(b)

for the words from “consult” to “about” substitute “consult that person about”.

(5)

(a)

for the words from “conducting an investigation” to “the complaint relates” substitute “conducting a relevant investigation, the appropriate person forms the opinion that the complaint to which the investigation relates also relates”;

(b)

for “he”, in both places it occurs, substitute “the appropriate person”.

(6)

After subsection (3) insert—

“(3ZA)

Subsection (3) does not apply in relation to any of the following relevant investigations—

(a)

an investigation by the Health Service Commissioner for England in accordance with the Act of 1993;

(b)

an investigation by the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales in accordance with the Public Services Ombudsman (Wales) Act 2005;

(c)

an investigation by the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman in accordance with the Act of 2002.”

(7)

(8)

In subsection (4), for the words from “subsection (3)” to “subsection (2)”, substitute “subsection (3), a Local Commissioner is consulted about a relevant complaint, subsection (2)”.

(9)

After subsection (5) insert—

“(5A)

In this section—

(a)

relevant investigation” means an investigation specified in column 1 of the table;

(b)

relevant complaint” means a complaint specified in column 2 of the table;

(c)

“appropriate person”—

(i)

in relation to a relevant investigation, means the person in column 3 of the table in the row in which the investigation is specified;

(ii)

in relation to a relevant complaint, means the person in column 3 of the table in the row in which the complaint is specified.

1

2

3

Relevant investigations

Relevant complaints

Appropriate persons

An investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner in accordance with section 5 of the Act of 1967

A complaint under the Act of 1967

The Parliamentary Commissioner

An investigation by the Health Service Commissioner for England in accordance with the Act of 1993

A complaint under the Act of 1993

The Health Service Commissioner for England

An investigation by a housing ombudsman under the Housing Act 1996

A complaint under the Housing Act 1996

The housing ombudsman

An investigation by the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman in accordance with the Act of 2002

A complaint under the Act of 2002

The Scottish Public Services Ombudsman

An investigation by the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales in accordance with the Public Services Ombudsman (Wales) Act 2005

A complaint under the Public Services Ombudsman (Wales) Act 2005

The Public Services Ombudsman for Wales

An investigation by the new homes ombudsman under the new homes ombudsman scheme (see section 136 of the Building Safety Act 2022)

A complaint under the new homes ombudsman scheme

The new homes ombudsman

An investigation under a leasehold and estate management redress scheme (see section 100 of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024)

A complaint under a leasehold and estate management redress scheme

The person responsible for overseeing and monitoring the investigation and determination of complaints under the scheme

An investigation under a landlord redress scheme (see section 64 of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025)

A complaint under a landlord redress scheme

The person responsible for overseeing and monitoring the investigation and determination of complaints under the scheme”

Annotations:
Commencement Information

I2Sch. 3 para. 2 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 145(1)(7)

3

(1)

Section 33ZA (collaborative working between Local Commissioners and others) is amended as follows.

(2)

In subsection (1), for the words from “jurisdiction of” to the end substitute “jurisdiction of an appropriate person, the Local Commissioner may, subject to subsection (2) below, conduct an investigation under this Part jointly with that appropriate person and any other appropriate person who, in the opinion of the Local Commissioner, has jurisdiction in relation to the matters which are the subject of the Local Commissioner’s investigation.”

(3)

(4)

In subsection (3), for the words from “investigated by” to the end substitute “investigated by an appropriate person relates partly to a matter within the Local Commissioner’s jurisdiction by virtue of this Part, the Local Commissioner may conduct an investigation under this Part jointly with that appropriate person and any other appropriate person who is also investigating the complaint.”

(5)

After subsection (5) insert—

“(6)

For the purposes of this section—

(a)

appropriate person” means any of the following—

(i)

the Parliamentary Commissioner;

(ii)

the Health Service Commissioner for England;

(iii)

a housing ombudsman;

(iv)

the new homes ombudsman;

(v)

an individual who investigates complaints under a redress scheme;

(b)

redress scheme” means—

(i)

a leasehold and estate management redress scheme;

(ii)

a landlord redress scheme;

(c)

a matter is within the jurisdiction of an individual who investigates complaints under a redress scheme if it is a matter which could be the subject of an investigation under that scheme.”

Annotations:
Commencement Information

I3Sch. 3 para. 3 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 145(1)(7)

4

In section 33ZB (arrangements for provision of administrative and other services), for subsection (4) substitute—

“(4)

The persons within this subsection are—

  • the Commission;

  • the Parliamentary Commissioner;

  • the Health Service Commissioner for England;

  • the person administering a scheme approved under Schedule 2 to the Housing Act 1996 (scheme for enabling complaints to be investigated by a housing ombudsman);

  • the new homes ombudsman;

  • the person maintaining the new homes ombudsman scheme under arrangements made pursuant to section 136 of the Building Safety Act 2022;

  • the administrator of a leasehold and estate management redress scheme;

  • the administrator of a landlord redress scheme.”

Annotations:
Commencement Information

I4Sch. 3 para. 4 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 145(1)(7)

5

In section 34 (interpretation), in subsection (1), at the appropriate places insert—

““head of landlord redress”, in relation to a landlord redress scheme, means the person responsible for overseeing and monitoring the investigation and determination of complaints under the scheme;”

““landlord redress scheme” has the meaning given by section 64(2) of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025;”.

Annotations:
Commencement Information

I5Sch. 3 para. 5 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 145(1)(7)

Housing Act 1996

6

(1)

Paragraph 10A of Schedule 2 to the Housing Act 1996 (housing complaints: collaborative working with Local Commissioners) is amended as follows.

(2)

In the heading above that paragraph, for “Local Commissioners” substitute “other appropriate persons”.

(3)

In sub-paragraph (1), for the words from “a Local Commissioner” to the end substitute “an appropriate person, the housing ombudsman may, subject to sub-paragraph (2), conduct an investigation under this Act jointly with that person and any other appropriate person the housing ombudsman considers has jurisdiction.”

(4)

(5)

In sub-paragraph (3), for the words from “a Local Commissioner” to the end substitute “an appropriate person relates partly to a matter within the jurisdiction of the housing ombudsman, the housing ombudsman may conduct an investigation jointly with that person and any other appropriate person investigating the complaint.”

(6)

In sub-paragraph (4), for the words from “investigation jointly with” to the end substitute “investigation jointly with one or more appropriate persons, the requirements of paragraph 7 may be satisfied by a report made jointly with those persons.”

(7)

For sub-paragraph (6) substitute—

“(6)

For the purposes of this paragraph—

(a)

appropriate person” means any of the following—

(i)

a Local Commissioner;

(ii)

the new homes ombudsman;

(iii)

an individual who investigates complaints under a redress scheme;

(b)

redress scheme” means—

(i)

a redress scheme within the meaning of section 100(4) of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 (leasehold and estate management redress schemes);

(ii)

a landlord redress scheme within the meaning of section 64(2) of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025;

(c)

a matter is within the jurisdiction of an individual who investigates complaints under a redress scheme if it is a matter which could be the subject of an investigation under that scheme.”

Annotations:
Commencement Information

I6Sch. 3 para. 6 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 145(1)(7)

Government of Wales Act 1998

7

In paragraph 17 of Schedule 12 to the Government of Wales Act 1998 (minor and consequential amendments), omit sub-paragraphs (2) and (3).

Annotations:
Commencement Information

I7Sch. 3 para. 7 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 145(1)(7)

Public Services Ombudsman (Wales) Act 2005

8

In paragraph 15 of Schedule 6 to the Public Services Ombudsman (Wales) Act 2005 (consequential amendments)—

(b)

Annotations:
Commencement Information

I8Sch. 3 para. 8 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 145(1)(7)

Localism Act 2011

9

In section 182 of the Localism Act 2011 (transfer of functions to housing ombudsman), omit subsections (2) to (6).

Annotations:
Commencement Information

I9Sch. 3 para. 9 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 145(1)(7)

Building Safety Act 2022

10

The Building Safety Act 2022 is amended in accordance with paragraphs 11 and 12.

Annotations:
Commencement Information

I10Sch. 3 para. 10 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 145(1)(7)

11

In Schedule 3 (cooperation and information sharing), in paragraph 3, for sub-paragraph (5) substitute—

“(5)

Relevant scheme” means any of the following—

Annotations:
Commencement Information

I11Sch. 3 para. 11 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 145(1)(7)

12

In Schedule 10 (amendments in connection with new homes ombudsman), omit paragraphs 1 to 5.

Annotations:
Commencement Information

I12Sch. 3 para. 12 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 145(1)(7)

Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024

13

In Schedule 13 to the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 (amendments in connection with leasehold and estate management redress schemes), omit paragraphs 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7.

Annotations:
Commencement Information

I13Sch. 3 para. 13 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 145(1)(7)