The Renters Rights Act received Royal Assent and passing into law on 27th October 2025. This means that there will soon be key changes to the way that landlords and tenants interact.

With the most significant changes set to come into effect on 1st May 2026, there are many key changes that landlords need to be aware of to keep their rental properties and practices compliant with the new legislation.

One of the most significant and widely discussed changes is the abolishment of Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions, something that has been in place since the 1980s.

This will significantly change the reasons a tenant can be evicted from a property. For landlords in and around the Reading area, we’re here to help. If you’re looking for advice surrounding the upcoming changes stated in the Renters’ Rights Act, contact Barrett and Co today.

The Abolishment of Section 21: What Does It Mean for Landlords?

Section 21 allowed landlords to end a tenancy without giving a reason as long as they gave the tenant at least two months’ notice. This was referred to as a ‘no-fault’ eviction and meant that landlords could gain access to their property simply because they wanted it back.

While Section 21 evictions gave landlords the flexibility to gain their property back without any legal grounds, it did raise questions surrounding the morality of ‘no fault’ evictions. It may be the landlord’s property, but for many tenants it’s their home. Feeling vulnerable to a sudden eviction can leave people feeling unstable in their lives.

It’s worth noting that this doesn’t mean that landlords can’t evict tenants. If the landlord has legal grounds, they will still be able to ask the tenant to vacate the property.  The government’s decision to abolish Section 21 is an attempt to create a more secure rental environment for tenants, whilst also having reasonable conditions for landlords to regain possession of the property.

Under the new legislation, Section 8 Notices, for fault-based evictions will remain, although the grounds will be substantially reformed.

In addition, until the changes take place on 1st May 2026, it will remain possible to use Section 21 Notices, provided they are validly served before this date. There will also be a deadline for issuing proceedings to enforce any Section 21 Notices issued immediately before the changes are made.

Key Changes to Expect

On 1st May 2026, key parts of Renters’ Rights Act will come into force, meaning both landlords and tenants need to be aware of the new laws. So, what can you expect?

  • No-Fault Evictions Abolished – The most significant change is the end of Section 21 evictions. Going forward, landlords must rely on other grounds for eviction, such as antisocial behaviour, failure to pay rent or a breach of tenancy agreement.
  • Difficulty around evicting tenants – In addition, the Act makes it more difficult to evict tenants, extending the notice periods and introducing stricter conditions for evictions to take place.
  • Increased responsibilities to maintain a safe property – The government will introduce a new “Decent Homes Standard” that sets out the minimum standards of living for rental properties. This includes addressing issues such as damp, mould, safety standards, and ensuring properties are warm and in a good state of repair.
  • Restriction on rent increases – Landlords will only be able to increase rent once year, rather than at their own discretion.
  • Protections against discrimination – In previous years, the rental market has often swayed in favour of people who are employed, and without children. The Renters Rights Act seeks to rectify this by no longer allowing discrimination against families with children and people who receive benefits.
  • Right to request pets – Tenants will have the right to request pets, and their landlords must consider the request and have a reason to deny it, without unreasonably refusing.

There are of course, many more changes for both landlords and tenants, which will change the rental landscape for years to come.

Preparing for the Upcoming Changes

While the Renters Rights Act is one of the biggest shakeups of the private rental markets in a while. Here are some ways people can prepare:

  • Get Legal Advice – Whenever there is change in law that affects you, it’s important to get the relevant legal advice. You can start by familiarising yourself with the Renters Rights Act and seeing if the properties you let or rent are in line with the new legislation. If you’re unsure, or want some professional advice, contact our team and Barrett and Co, and we’ll see how we can help.
  • Regular Property Inspections – Regular inspections are beneficial for the landlord and tenant. Not only can they help to foster a good relationship, but they can also allow the landlord to fix any issues and monitor the maintenance of the property.
  • Clear Communication – Keeping the lines of communication open between landlord and tenant is vital during these times of change, especially as the rules surrounding eviction become stricter. Addressing any issues or miscommunications early on can help to reduce conflict that often leads to bigger problems.
  • Getting Insurance – For landlords, there are some changes that could affect them negatively if they’re not prepared. For example, there are changes coming into effect about rent arrears which could leave them out of pocket. Getting insurance with a rent guarantee can provide peace of mind.

Although some of these changes might seem overwhelming, it’s important to remember that with the right advice and preparation, they can be navigated with ease.

Navigating the New Rental Landscape

While the Renters Rights Act will provide tenants with more security, they also place more responsibility on landlords to follow clear processes for eviction. With an end to “no fault evictions”, some landlords may be worried about how they can regain access to their property should they need to.

As we approach the changes set to take effect in 2026, it’s essential for landlords to take the steps they need to make sure they’re compiling with the new laws. This includes things like updating tenancy agreements, improving property standards, and understanding the grounds for eviction.

At Barrett and Co, we’re here to help you prepare for any upcoming changes. Get in touch with our team today, and we’ll help you put your best foot forward.