The Renters’ Reform Act: How It Completely Rewrites Landlord and Tenant Rights

The reform confusion costing both parties

You've heard Section 21 "no-fault" evictions are ending. You've read that tenants get more rights. You've seen landlords claiming the market will collapse whilst tenants celebrate finally getting protections. Meanwhile, the actual legislation contains nuances both sides are missing, and misunderstanding these changes will cost landlords money whilst leaving tenants unprotected if they don't understand what changed versus what they assumed.

Here's what separates those who'll navigate these reforms successfully from those who'll struggle: understanding what changed, what stayed the same, and how the practical implications differ from the political rhetoric surrounding the legislation.

Section 21 abolition doesn't mean tenants can't be evicted

The headline change ending "no-fault" evictions sounds like tenants gain permanent security. Reality is more nuanced. Landlords can still evict for specific legitimate grounds including rent arrears, antisocial behaviour, property damage, and situations where landlords need to sell or move into properties themselves. What's changing is that landlords must have valid grounds rather than evicting without reason.

Tenants aren't gaining unconditional tenancy security but protection from arbitrary eviction when they've met all tenancy obligations. Landlords aren't losing all eviction ability but must demonstrate legitimate reasons. This distinction matters because both parties misunderstanding the actual change creates unrealistic expectations.

New grounds for possession replace Section 21

Landlords selling properties can evict with two months' notice under new mandatory grounds, but only after providing evidence they're genuinely selling, not using sale claims as eviction pretexts. Similarly, landlords moving themselves or close family into properties can evict, but face penalties if they don't actually occupy properties as claimed or re-let within specified periods.

These new grounds provide legitimate landlord flexibility whilst preventing abuse of eviction powers. Understanding exactly what evidence satisfies these grounds matters for both landlords needing to evict legitimately and tenants challenging potentially spurious eviction attempts.

Rent increase limitations create new dynamics

Landlords can only increase rent once annually and must follow formal processes allowing tenants to challenge increases they consider excessive to tribunal. This doesn't mean rents are capped but that arbitrary mid-tenancy increases without justification become challengeable rather than automatically enforceable.

Tenants challenging increases must demonstrate rents exceed local market rates, not just that they're unaffordable personally. Tribunals assess whether proposed rents align with comparable local properties. Understanding this distinction prevents futile challenges whilst protecting against genuinely excessive increases.

Decent Homes Standard applies to private rentals

Properties must meet specific standards regarding health, safety, and reasonable comfort. This includes requirements around heating, insulation, ventilation, and facilities that go beyond current minimum standards many private rentals currently meet. Landlords face potential enforcement action for properties not meeting these standards, creating significant compliance costs for older properties requiring upgrades.

The practical implications both sides miss

Landlords assuming reforms make letting unviable are overreacting, but those assuming nothing substantial changes are underestimating compliance requirements and reduced flexibility. Tenants assuming reforms provide absolute security are wrong, but those thinking nothing improves are missing genuine protections against arbitrary eviction and poor conditions.

Both parties need to understand actual legislative language rather than campaigning rhetoric from either side. The reforms create more balanced framework than existed previously whilst preserving legitimate landlord needs and providing genuine tenant protections.

Your reform preparation strategy

Landlords should review properties against Decent Homes Standards, understand new eviction ground requirements, and implement compliant rent increase procedures. Tenants should understand which eviction grounds remain valid, how to challenge excessive rent increases properly, and what standards they can legitimately expect properties to meet.

Need detailed guidance on how the Renters' Reform Act affects your specific situation?

Our team provides comprehensive analysis for both landlords and tenants navigating legislative changes.