The Act received Royal Assent on 27 October 2025. Alongside a preparatory phase (which is already in
place), the Act will be implemented in three phases.
6 November 2025
- Publication of guide for landlords and local authorities
27 December 2025
- The definition of an assured tenancy is changed, removing long residential leases
(over 21 years) from the list
- New investigatory and enforcement powers for local authorities
31 January 2026
Deadline to serve a valid notice under s21 Housing Act 1988 where 6 months’ notice is required
30 April 2026
Deadline to serve a valid notice under s21 Housing Act 1988 where two months’ notice is required
1 May 2026
- All assured shorthold tenancies become assured periodic tenancies
- Changes to possession grounds under s8 Housing Act 1988, including the addition of 20 new grounds
- Rental increases restricted to once every 52 weeks, and only via s13 Housing Act 1988
- Cap on the maximum rent paid in advance of one month (for new tenancies), and abolition of any rental
- periods longer than one month
- Requirement to include proposed rent in marketing details for new lets, and ban on encouraging or inviting higher bids, or accepting an offer more than the stated rent
- Prohibition of discrimination against families or those in receipt of benefits
- New financial penalties introduced, and expansion of existing penalties
- New suite of prescribed forms to be introduced in line with the various changes
31 May 2025
- For pre-1 May 2026 tenancies, landlords must provide information sheets – and a written summary where the existing tenancy is verbal – by 31 May 2026.
31 July 2026
- The final deadline to file a possession claim based on a valid Section 21 notice is 31 July 2026.
Late 2026
- Launch of a national Private Rented Sector Database
- Establishment of a Private Rented Sector Landlord Ombudsman
- Increased resource and capacity for the county courts including a fully digital possession service (expected to be fully operational by April 2027)
c. 2030
- Increase of the minimum EPC rating of C (barring a valid exemption)
c. 2035 – 2037
- Introduction of a Decent Homes Standard for the private rented sector
Unknown
- Extension of Awaab’s law to private rented sector
- Review and update of the Housing Health and Safety Rating System
- Possible introduction of a tribunal-like mechanism for initial rent determinations