What does the Renters' Rights Roadmap have in store for West Norfolk landlords?

What does the Renters' Rights Roadmap have in store for West Norfolk landlords?

The Government has released its roadmap for the Renters' Rights Act 2025. Far from being "immediate" as promised in Labour's election pledge, here we look at how the legislation will be implemented in three stages over the coming months and years.

PHASE ONE: 1 MAY 2026

This will be a fundamental phase of the legislation with regards to tenancy reform measures. From this date:

• All tenancies will convert to Assured Periodic Tenancies, regardless of whether they’d previously been on a fixed term.

• Tenants will have to provide at least two months written notice if they want to move out. Their tenancy must end of the last day of their rental period, i.e. the day before their rent would be due.

• Section 21 notices will be abolished and replaced with Section 8 notices, which will require a landlord to give a reason for the tenancy to end. Unless the tenant has broken the terms of the tenancy, tenants must have the security of at least 12 months in the property before a Section 8 notice can be served.

• Rent can only be paid up to one month in advance unless the tenancy has already begun and both the tenant and landlord are in agreement.

• Anti-discrimination measures will be in place and landlords must consider any request from a tenant to have a pet.

• Rental bidding will be banned. A property cannot be let for more than the initial listed price each time it is let.

• Rent can only be increased once every 12 months and must be done by Section 13 notice.

PHASE TWO: FROM LATE 2026

The PRS Database will be rolled out from late 2026. All landlords and property within the private rented sector must be registered.

Landlords will also be held to account through a new PRS Landlord Ombudsman, providing redress to tenants when things go wrong, and tools and guidance to support landlords if a complaint is received. 

The Ombudsman itself will be implemented in stages with landlords to be signed up to the scheme in the second stage of its development, anticipated to be in 2028.

PHASE THREE: TBC (CURRENT PROPOSALS SUGGEST 2035 OR 2037)

A new Decent Homes Standard will be introduced to the private rented sector.

Although already in effect in the social housing sector, the Government understands that the private rented sector has different needs and challenges, so a long-term deadline is proposed whilst consultation takes place. Landlords will be encouraged to act proactively whilst being mindful of the effect on their tenants.

Awaab’s Law will also be extended into the private rented sector putting further obligations on landlords to ensure homes are safe to the people renting them.

New proposed Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) will remain in place, separate to the Renters’ Rights Act, requiring all domestically rented property to meet and EPC C by 2030 unless a valid exemption is in place.

The Government will be launching a communications campaign for landlords later this month and for tenants from April 2026. At Brittons Lettings we will be following guidance from the Government and using resources provided by Propertymark, the leading membership body for property agents, to ensure that our managed tenancies are transferred compliantly in line with the new legislation and timeline. Further details on the roadmap can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/renters-rights-act-2025-implementation-roadmap. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us by phoning 01553 692828, emailing [email protected] or popping into our Tuesday Market Place office, and we will be happy to discuss the legislation in the context of your tenancy and rental property.