From Pets to Property Standards, Navigating the Renters Rights Act 2025
Following on from my earlier articles on the Act, there are numerous other important changes to the rules for residential lettings. Some which you are most likely to encounter are:
1. It will be illegal to refuse to rent your property to tenants who have, or may have in future, children living with them.
2. It will be illegal to refuse to rent your property to tenants who are in receipt of state benefits
3. If a tenant requests to have a pet in their home, you will not be able unreasonably to withhold consent and the tenant will be able to challenge whether your decision to refuse a pet is reasonable or otherwise.
The Act envisages that any damage caused by pets in the property can be covered by the tenancy deposit or that the landlord can take the tenant to Court for the cost of repairing the damage.
4. There will be a new private rental sector “Decent Homes Standard” imposed upon all properties being let out for residential use. It will mean that all houses being rented out for residential use
will need to meet minimum standards in relation to health and safety before they are able to be rented out or, if they are already being rented out, will need to be brought up to a minimum standard. Matters such as mould and damp will specifically fall under this provision as well as many others.
Failure to meet the standards required, or to deal with hazards after being served with a Notice, by the Local Authority may lead to a civil fine of up to £7000 and/or a criminal prosecution, depending on the nature of the problems and the manner in which the landlord behaves when served with a Notice.
5. There is a new procedure for putting up rent during a tenancy. Rent increases will be limited to once a year during the life of the tenancy and the amount of the increase will also be governed by the Act. Again there are time limits and the Act is more favourable to tenants than previous legislation. Any rent increases not conducted in accordance with the Act will be invalid and unenforceable.
6. There is little change to the Deposit Rules (requiring registration of any tenancy deposit from the outset). It is not obligatory to take a deposit however there is a limit to the amount of deposit which can be taken. The sanctions for failing to register a deposit (if taken) will be stronger including refusal of a possession Order if the rules were not complied with.
We can advise you about the new rent increase provisions and process and about the deposit regulations.
It is very important to note that from 1st May 2026 the local authority will have the power to ban people from continuing to be landlords if they fail to comply with any of the provisions of the Act, as well as having extensive powers to hand down civil fines (up to £7000) and to conduct criminal prosecutions for non-compliance.
It is therefore crucial to ensure that as a landlord you are totally aware of all of the provisions of the Act as this is almost completely a total re-set for residential landlord and tenant.
We can advise you about any of the matters mentioned in the various articles or in relation to other parts of the Act.
