The Renters Rights Act quietly became law on 1st May 2025 — and the silence from both landlords and tenants has been deafening. According to a recent survey by housing guarantor Housing Hand, a staggering 78% of tenants have no idea what impact this landmark legislation has on them, and based on what we're seeing on the ground, many landlords are equally in the dark.
Why So Many People Are Still Unaware
It might seem remarkable that a law as significant as the Renters Rights Act could pass with so little fanfare amongst those it directly affects — but the evidence is hard to ignore. That Housing Hand survey polled 1,700 people and found nearly four in five tenants couldn't explain how the Act changes their situation. That is an extraordinary figure for legislation that is already live and enforceable.
Part of the problem appears to be landlords themselves. Property Accelerator's James Nicholson recently spoke to around nine landlords across social settings and a business meeting, and not a single one had heard of the mandatory information sheet that landlords are now required to distribute to their tenants. Not one. If landlords aren't aware of their own obligations, it's little wonder tenants remain in the dark about their new rights.
The consequence of inaction is not trivial. Landlords who fail to issue the government's official Renters Rights Act information sheet to their tenants could face fines of up to £7,000. For buy-to-let investors managing tight margins, that is a significant and entirely avoidable hit.
What the Renters Rights Act Actually Changes
For our readers who are landlords or property investors, here is a plain-English summary of the key changes now in force.
Section 21 'no-fault' evictions have been abolished. Landlords can no longer serve a Section 21 notice to end a tenancy without grounds. Instead, evictions must be pursued via Section 8, which requires a legitimate legal reason — such as rent arrears, property damage, antisocial behaviour, or the landlord's intention to sell or move into the property themselves. Crucially, Section 8 grounds for owner-occupation or sale only become available after the tenant has been in residence for 12 months.
Fixed-term tenancies are gone. All tenancies are now periodic — rolling on a month-by-month basis. A tenant can give two months' notice at any point, even on day one of moving in. For landlords who had been using short lets or exploiting contractual loopholes, this is a significant shift that requires a rethink of strategy.
Rent increases are now limited to once per year. Landlords must follow the correct process under Section 13 of the Housing Act 1988, using Form 4A to notify tenants of any increase. If you use a letting agent, they should handle this for you — but it's worth confirming that they are up to speed.
Tenants now have the right to request a pet. Landlords must respond in a timely manner, and if they wish to decline, they must provide a valid reason. Tenants can challenge an unreasonable refusal through the courts. There are legitimate grounds for refusal — such as leasehold restrictions — but landlords cannot simply say no without justification.
The Information Sheet: What It Is and Why It Matters
The government's Renters Rights Act information sheet is a four-page document that summarises tenants' new rights in accessible, clear language. It is not a long or complex read — tenants can skim the bullet-point headlines and come away with a solid understanding of how the Act affects them.
As a landlord, you are now legally obligated to provide this document to your tenants. If you attempt to evict a tenant and haven't issued the information sheet, a judge could throw your case out entirely — costing you court fees, legal costs, and months of delays on top of the original fine risk. The document is available on the government website and should be distributed as soon as possible if you haven't already done so.
If you're in the process of purchasing a buy-to-let property and want to ensure the conveyancing process runs smoothly alongside your compliance obligations, we'd recommend taking a look at Muve — Online Conveyancing, who offer a streamlined, transparent service well-suited to property investors.
What Landlords and Tenants Should Do Right Now
If you are a landlord, the action is simple: download the Renters Rights Act information sheet and get it to your tenants before the end of this month. Don't wait. The legislation is live, the fines are real, and ignorance of the rules is not a defence.
If you are a tenant, consider sharing this information with your landlord if they haven't been in touch. Maintaining a good landlord-tenant relationship benefits everyone, and a gentle nudge — rather than a formal complaint — could save both parties considerable stress down the line.
For property investors like you who are actively looking to grow or restructure a portfolio in light of these changes, staying informed is half the battle. We use tools like PropertyAlert.uk to keep a close eye on new investment opportunities across the UK market, so that when the right property comes up, we're ready to move.
The Renters Rights Act is not something to push to the back of the to-do list. Act now, stay compliant, and protect your investment.
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