Renters Reform Bill 2025: What Landlords Need to Know

Written By Steven Andrea

The Renters Reform Bill is one of the biggest shake-ups the private rented sector has seen in decades. While the Bill has been delayed and amended several times, the government has made it clear that major changes are still coming. For estate agents and landlords, understanding what’s on the horizon is essential for staying compliant and protecting income.

Here’s a clear breakdown of the key proposals and what they mean in practice.

The end of Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions

The headline change is the proposed abolition of Section 21 notices. This would mean landlords will no longer be able to end a tenancy without a specific reason.

Instead, landlords will rely on an updated, strengthened version of Section 8, which will include new grounds such as:

  • The landlord wanting to sell

  • The landlord or a close family member needing to move in

  • Serious rent arrears

  • Anti-social behaviour

What this means:
Landlords will need tighter documentation, stronger processes, and consistent communication to ensure the correct grounds are used — making professional management more important than ever.

 A shift to periodic tenancies

All tenancies are expected to move to rolling periodic agreements, with no fixed-term contracts. Landlords lose the guarantee of a 6- or 12-month minimum term. Tenants will be able to leave with two months’ notice. Agents will need to monitor tenancy lengths, renewal strategies and void risk more closely.

Stronger rules around rent increases

Rent increases will have to follow a stricter process, using Section 13 notices with greater transparency and fairness. Landlords must justify increases based on market rates and property condition. Agents will need to stay on top of local market data and ensure increases are compliant and documented.

Property standards and the Decent Homes Standard

For the first time, the Decent Homes Standard, previously used in social housing is expected to apply to the private rented sector.

This focuses on:

  • Repair and maintenance

  • Property safety

  • Damp and mould prevention

  • Modern facilities

Landlords will need proactive maintenance and better-recorded inspections. Agents must adopt a more structured approach to compliance checks and issue reporting.

A new property portal for landlords

The government plans to introduce a digital property portal where landlords will be required to register and upload compliance documents.

Landlords will face fines if they fail to register or upload mandatory documentation. Letting agents will need efficient systems to keep records up-to-date and ensure nothing is missed.

Pets becoming the default

The Bill supports the idea that tenants can request a pet, and landlords must not unreasonably refuse.

Landlords will be allowed to require pet insurance to cover potential damage. Agents will need clear pet policies, additional tenancy clauses, and structured processes for approvals and inspections.

What does this mean for estate agents?

Even though the Renters Reform Bill has taken time to progress through Parliament, the direction of travel is clear:

  • More regulation, more responsibility, and more work for landlords and their agents.

  • Many traditional sales-only estate agents are finding that landlords now expect:

    • Expert guidance

    • Full compliance support

    • Professional property management

    • Clear advice on legislative changes

For many, building an in-house lettings team isn’t viable. That’s where Rentsy comes in!

How Rentsy helps your landlords stay compliant

Rentsy provides a fully outsourced lettings and property management solution designed specifically for estate agents. We monitor legislation, handle compliance, and ensure your landlords are protected, while you keep the majority of the monthly management fee.

We take care of:

  • Section 8 notices

  • Rent reviews and increases

  • Inspections & compliance checks

  • Repair reporting and maintenance

  • Documentation for the property portal

  • Tenancy agreements aligned with new rules

You offer a lettings service under your own brand, without any of the operational burden.

Final thoughts

The Renters Reform Bill is reshaping the rental landscape. While landlords face increasing responsibility, agents have a huge opportunity to strengthen relationships, win more instructions, and provide real value.

With Rentsy supporting your lettings and management, you stay ahead of regulation, protect your brand, and deliver a service landlords can rely on.

Steven Andrea