BREAKING: Seismic Renters’ Rights Act becomes law
The contentious Renters’ Rights Bill received Royal Assent from King Charles this afternoon and has become law, an announcement in parliament is due any moment to reveal.
It is now nearly two years since Michael Gove first revealed his desire to overhaul the private rented sector, an attempt which failed during the chaotic final months of the Rishi Sunak government.
Labour’s version of the Bill, which is very similar, has raced through parliament, helped by the party’s large majority.
This evening the legislation, which will significantly change how the private rented sector is regulated and heap more red tape on letting agents and landlords, is due to beofficially read out in the Lords with MPs in attendance.
Once this has been completed, the Government will have to get any secondary legislation affected by the Bill changed, along with the amendments necessary to regulations.
Housing secretary Steve Reed said during an interview on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme this morning that he would publish a timetable of when these changes would take place a soon as possible so that agents, landlords and tenants could understand when the Renters’ Rights Act would go ‘live’ in full.
This includes the abolishment of Section 21, which is the most radical element of the Act.
Campaign groups such as Shelter and Generation Rent have been calling on ‘no fault’ evictions to be banned immediately, but Labour has pushed back, saying property managers need time to adjust.
It is also clear that many County Courts are not ready for the changes and the likely large increase in workload; the Renters’ Rights Act effectively forces all evictions to go through these courts, making removing rogue tenants both a lengthier and more expensive process for landlords and letting agents.
Other ducks will also need to lined up including Awaab’s Law, which the Act says will now including private landlords, but also a new national database of landlords and their properties, and a new ombudsman.
NRLA 27.10.25
