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Your Renters’ Rights questions answered


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Please note- the Renters’ Rights Bill can still be amended as it is currently in the Ping Pong stage. As a result, many details still need to be confirmed by the government. These FAQs were last updated in October 2025 and we will continue to update them regularly as more details are announced.

This information is for guidance only and is not legal advice.

When will the Bill come into force?

The government is yet to confirm the date but Royal Assent is expected to happen around the end of October 2025. We believe the government will give between 3 – 6 months for landlords and agents to prepare before the Act starts being enforced. Meaning agents need to be preparing now in order to be ready for early 2026.

Does the Bill apply to Houses of Multiple Occupancy (HMOs)?

Yes, the new legislation will apply to HMOs.

Does the Bill apply to non-residential tenancies?

No, the Bill will not apply to non-residential / commercial tenancies.

Does the Bill only apply to Assured Shorthold Tenancies (ASTs)?

No, the entire Bill will apply to current AST agreements, but some parts of the Bill will also apply to Non-Housing Act tenancies.

Does the Bill apply to rental properties over £100k pa?

No, if the rent is over £100,000 per annum, an Assured Tenancy (AT) or Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST) cannot be created. A High Rent Agreement or Premium Lease Agreement would be used, also known as a Common Law Agreement. Therefore the Bill will not apply.

How many months notice must a tenant give under the new rules?

Under the Bill, a tenant must provide 2 months’ notice, ending on the last day of a rent period. For example, if the tenancy started on 14th January and the tenant gave notice on 25th April, the tenancy would end on 13th July, not 25th June.

Is the government still discussing a minimum tenancy term before the tenant can give notice?

No, it’s unlikely at this stage that a minimum tenancy term will be introduced.

Under the new Bill, tenants are required to provide 2 months’ notice, ending on the last day of a rental period, which means a tenant needs to stay in a new tenancy for a minimum of 3 months if they were to give notice in the first 27 days of a new tenancy.

Can landlords still let rooms under a licence agreement and avoid the new regulations?

It’s important to note that Licence Agreements are used when the landlord or a relative of the landlord is resident in the property being let. However, some parts of the Bill may apply to residential licences.

Can landlords still allow a tenant to sub-let rooms to other tenants? And if so, do their tenants need to pay their rent to them or can it be paid directly to the agent or landlord?

Yes, sub-letting is still permissible under the Bill with the landlord’s consent. If the landlord gives consent for the tenant to sub-let, the rent will be paid by the sub-lessee to the tenant.

Once the new law commences can agents still charge renewal fees?

No as there won’t be any renewals. You need to think about your charging model. You might say fees are due for the term of the tenancy up to a certain point i.e. two or three years. Alternatively, you may decide to take more payment upfront at the original start of the tenancy.

Will the new rules apply also to Common Law tenancies, more particularly High-rent or Company Lets?

No, the Renters Rights Bill applies primarily to Housing Act 1988 tenancies but there are some provisions which apply so you should stay up to date with the amends ready to review this once the final details of the Bill are revealed.

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