The Renters’ Rights Act 2025
The law is changing in England for the private rented sector. The Renter’s Right Act focuses on improving fairness, transparency, and security across the private rented sector. The majority of these reforms are scheduled to come into effect on 1 May 2026:
- Abolition of “No-Fault” Evictions: Reside will be required to provide a valid, legally specified reason to end a tenancy
- Periodic Tenancies: Fixed-term assured shorthold tenancies will be replaced by simpler rolling monthly periodic agreements
- Higher Housing Standards: The Decent Homes Standard will be extended to the private rented sector introducing strict legal timeframes for Reside to address hazards like damp and mould
- Fairer Rent: Rent increases will be restricted to once per year and capped at the market rate and upfront rent payments are also capped at one month’s rent
- Ending Discrimination: It will be illegal for Reside to impose blanket bans on prospective tenants who receive benefits or have children
- Rights for Pet Owners: Residents will have a strengthened right to request permission to keep a pet and Reside cannot unreasonably refuse
Scheduled reforms to come into effect in 2028
There will be an independent private rented sector Ombudsman to resolve complaints without going to court and a private rented sector Database, for landlords like Reside to demonstrate compliance and for tenants to make informed decisions.
Shared Ownership changes from 27 December 2025
From 27 December 2025 shared owners:
- Shift from Assured Tenancy to Long Leasehold Status: Shared ownership leases with a fixed term of more than seven years are now formally classified as long leases and are removed from the standard assured tenancy system under the Housing Act 1988
- Impact on Repossession Process: Reside must now use the more legally strict forfeiture process to address serious breaches of the lease agreement
What This Means for Reside Shared Owners?
- Increased Security of Tenure: This change reinforces your status as a homeowner with a long lease. The legal process for Reside to regain possession involves additional legal safeguards for you as the leaseholder
It remains vital that all shared owners adhere to the terms and conditions outlined in their lease agreements, including the timely payment of rent and service charges, to avoid legal action.
Reside is actively monitoring and following all government guidance related to the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 and Reside will be updating our policies and processes to align fully with this new legislation.