Having completed its journey through the House of Lords, the Renters Rights Bill returns to the Commons on September 8 for consideration of the Lords’ amendments. This process, aptly named ‘ping-pong’, will see the Bill bounce back and forth between the two Houses until all amendments have either been agreed, or voted down by the majority Commons.
Once this process is complete, the Bill will receive ‘Royal Assent’, the process by which it becomes law. However, the date on which the new law will actually take effect (known as ‘the ‘commencement date’) is expected to be some time later. The Government is on record as saying that a full suite of guidance will be published so that landlords, agents and other interested parties can prepare adequately for implementation. There is no firm indication of when the commencement date will be but it is likely to be somewhere between two and six months after Royal Assent. Practically speaking, this means it could happen in December (though that is more likely to mean January 2026 due to Parliament’s opening times), or April 2026. Even so, some aspects of the Bill will come into effect after the commencement date, so expect ‘waves’ of implementation.
People will always need somewhere to live, and we expect no let-up in tenant demand so here are some tips to help you prepare to protect your investment:
1 Condition and disrepair of property is at the heart of the new legislation. Landlords would be wise to ensure their properties meet safety and compliance standards and that any damage or other issues at the property that could negatively impact the health and safety of tenants are identified and professionally rectified. Landlords should consider professional property management. Foxtons property management will remove these compliance burdens and ensure that detailed records of repairs and issues are maintained.
2 Be aware that fixed term tenancies will be abolished overnight. There will be no end-date to tenancies. Make sure your tenancy agreement complies with the new requirements. Foxtons tenancy agreements will ensure you stay on the right side of the law.
3 Understand the new grounds for possession. Section 21 no fault evictions are being abolished. That means no longer will you be able to recover possession without a supporting ground. Possession claims will need to be based on the correct legal forms and be heard by a judge. Foxtons’ network includes legal specialists in possession law who can help you navigate the legal maze should you need to.
4 Consider rent and legal protection to protect your income stream in the event either that your tenant falls into arrears, or you need to take possession action.
As the Government issues further guidance before implementation and phases in some parts of the Law, we will keep you informed of developments.
