“The Renters Rights Bill is not just another piece of legislation – it’s a turning point in the landlord-tenant relationship. Landlords must act now to ensure they’re on the right side of the law and public expectation.” – Pranav Bhanot – partner at WYN Legal
Landlords across England are being urged to act now as the government prepares to implement the Renters Rights Bill – a sweeping piece of legislation that will bring the most significant reform to private renting in over three decades.
The Bill, expected to pass later this year, represents a major shift toward tenant protections, increased regulation, and a rebalanced power dynamic in the private rental market.
Pranav Bhanot, a solicitor, summed up the urgency:
“This is the most significant reform to private renting in a generation – and landlords who fail to adapt risk being left behind.”
Landlords across England are being urged to act now as the government prepares to implement the Renters Rights Bill – a sweeping piece of legislation that will bring the most significant reform to private renting in over three decades.
The Bill, expected to pass later this year, represents a major shift toward tenant protections, increased regulation, and a rebalanced power dynamic in the private rental market.
Pranav Bhanot, a solicitor, summed up the urgency:
“This is the most significant reform to private renting in a generation – and landlords who fail to adapt risk being left behind.”
What’s in the Bill?
If passed, the Renters Rights Bill will introduce a number of landmark changes, including:- Abolition of fixed-term tenancies, moving all agreements to rolling (periodic) contracts
- Ending Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions, making it more difficult to regain possession without a valid legal reason
- Rent controls on upfront payments, limiting landlords to one month’s rent in advance, plus a capped security deposit
- Stronger rights for tenants to keep pets
- Extension of the Decent Homes Standard to private rentals, ensuring minimum property standards
- Tighter rules around bidding, transparency, and rent increases
- Introduction of a national Ombudsman to resolve disputes without going to court
Compliance Challenges for Landlords and Agents
Landlords and letting agents alike will face new legal obligations and must take steps now to ensure compliance.In addition to the tenancy reforms, letting agents are already contending with tightened Anti-Money Laundering (AML) requirements. All parties involved in a rental – tenants, landlords, guarantors – must now be screened against the UK financial sanctions list before contracts are signed or funds are received.
If a potential match is found, it must be reported immediately to the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI). Failure to comply can result in hefty fines or even imprisonment of up to seven years in serious cases.
A Turning Point for the Private Rental Sector
The Renters Rights Bill signals a broader policy shift – one that prioritises long-term tenant stability, fairness, and transparency across the board.For landlords, this means re-evaluating current practices, updating tenancy agreements, and staying informed on forthcoming legal guidance to avoid non-compliance and reduce exposure to risk.
As Pranav Bhanot puts it:
“The Renters Rights Bill is not just another piece of legislation – it’s a turning point in the landlord-tenant relationship. Landlords must act now to ensure they’re on the right side of the law and public expectation.”
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