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Join Which? MoneyWhat's happening to the Renters' Rights Bill?
The Renters' Rights Bill promises stronger protections against eviction and better living standards
At the start of 2025, there was hope the Renters’ Rights Bill would become law in the spring. But spring has passed, summer is well underway, and there are still no extra protections in place for renters.
So where is the Bill? It has now reached the final stage before royal assent, but still may not be passed until mid-October.
Despite promises that the Bill will improve the rented sector for tenants, it appears likely that the cost of renting will continue to rise in 2025.
Here, we outline when the new legislation is expected to become law, what it will include, and how it could affect you.
When will the Renters’ Rights Bill become law?
The Renters' Rights Bill has now moved to the final stage before becoming law, just ahead of summer recess.
However, the next step, where MPs in the Commons will consider the Lords' amendments, is not scheduled until early September.
If the Bill is not passed within the first two weeks of September, it could face further delays as Parliament will break again for the party conference season.
The government still expects the Bill to become law before MPs leave for the conferences, but this is not guaranteed.
Even if it passes in early September, some measures will take longer to come into effect. These include plans to introduce a legally binding Decent Homes Standard for the private rented sector, which would require all rental properties to meet a minimum standard of quality and safety.
- Find out more: renting a home: what you need to know
What is included in the Renters’ Rights Bill?
The Renters' Rights Bill contains a series of reforms that the government claims will improve the private rented sector for tenants.
Some of the key plans are as follows:
- No-fault eviction ban: a ban on Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions is the most headline-grabbing reform in the Bill. After the first 12 months of the tenancy, landlords will still be able to evict tenants with four months' notice in some circumstances, such as if they need to move in to the property themselves.
- Rent protections: rent increases will be limited to one per year. Letting agents and landlords will be required to publish an asking rent for their property and will be prohibited from accepting bids above that price.
- Lets with pets: tenants will be allowed to request to keep a pet, with landlords no longer able to impose blanket bans on animals.
- Standards of living: A new Decent Homes Standard will be introduced, along with an extension of Awaab’s Law. This will set clear deadlines for landlords to address serious issues with properties. If they fail to meet these, tenants will be able to take legal action against them.
- End of blanket bans on tenants: blanket bans on tenants who receive benefits or have children will be outlawed. These changes will initially apply in England and Wales, with plans to extend them to Scotland at a later date.
- Rented sector database: a database will be introduced to consolidate key information for landlords, tenants and local authorities.
As the Bill has progressed through the House of Commons, some amendments have been introduced. These include:
- Student housing: enhanced protections will be given to students to prevent them from feeling pressured to sign housing contracts early in the academic year.
- Ombudsman: landlords will have to pay a mandatory fee to fund a new Private Rented Sector Ombudsman that will deal with disputes.
As the Bill has progressed through the House of Lords, some amendments have also been introduced. These included a:
- Pet deposit: landlords may ask for a deposit to be used in the event of damage by a pet. This can be up to three weeks worth of rent.
How will the Renters' Rights Bill help tenants?
Tom Darling of the Renters’ Reform Coalition says: 'The Bill represents the biggest changes to renting in a generation. Renters will have more secure tenancies protected for at least a year, bidding wars and extortionate demands for rent in advance will be banned, and landlords won't be able to evict without reason.
'Whether renters will feel the full extent of the benefit of these changes depends on them being informed of their new rights – many are already unaware of their existing ones. For the Bill to deliver on its aims, it will need proper enforcement, which means providing local councils with the guidance and resources they will need to protect tenants and hold landlords accountable.
'Another major caveat is that affordability is not addressed by the legislation. Building homes alone won’t resolve the affordability crisis, and we’re calling on the government to set up a National Rental Affordability Commission to look at ways to get a grip on soaring rents.'
What's happening to the cost of renting?
The cost of renting continues to rise. Zoopla found that the average rent for a new let in the UK is £1,283 per calendar month (pcm). This has risen by £221 (17%) over the past three years.
In some areas, the increases have been even steeper. In Manchester and Newcastle, rents for new lets have risen by 26% over the same period.
Experts expect rent increases to continue. Estate agent Hamptons predicts that rents will rise by 18% between the end of 2022 and 2027. It estimates that this will cost the average tenant in Great Britain an extra £2,650 each year.
- Find out more: questions to ask when renting a home
What to do if you can’t pay your rent
If you’re struggling to pay your rent or have already missed a payment, it’s essential to contact your landlord as soon as possible.
Doing this increases the chances of finding a solution that allows you to remain in the property.
If you are a tenant in England or Wales, you may qualify for the Debt Respite Scheme, also known as Breathing Space. This provides you with a 60-day period in which your landlord won’t be able to take most enforcement action.
For more information on your options, see our guide on what to do if you can't pay your rent
This article has been updated since it was first published. It's last update was to include details about the status of the Bill through Parliament.
