This new year is going to be a significant one for private Cheltenham landlords as there are quite a few legislative changes in store for them. Here’s our round up of the five biggest developments on the 2025 horizon.
The Renters’ Rights Bill
There’s no exact timeframe for this bill as it’s still going through Parliament – it should be through the report stage by mid January before heading to the House of Lords – but we can expect it to be in force this summer.
This bill will bring in widespread and big changes to renting – including changes to gaining possession, to the rules around pets in rental properties and several other new measures.
Changes to energy efficiency rules
The government launched a consultation on changes to the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) system last month. The proposed changes include shortening the validity period for EPCs and changing how EPCs are calculated, as well as widening the current rules to ensure that all HMOs have an EPC.
The government also plans to launch a consultation on increasing minimum energy standards in the private rental sector – at present landlords only need to have a minimum of E. There’s no timetable for this consultation, but there’s no doubt about how seriously the government is taking energy efficiency.
Awaab’s Law moves into private rental sector
Awaab’s Law came into force last year as part of the Social Housing Regulation Act 2023, following the tragic 2020 death of a toddler caused by mould in the social housing he lived in.
The law will, in 2025, come into force in the private sector as part of the Renters’ Rights Bill. Awaab’s Law mandates timely interventions – with strict time limits – by landlords to improve hazardous living conditions in their rental properties.
Changes to selective licensing
From December 23 2024, local authorities no longer needed to seek approval from the Secretary of State to introduce local licensing schemes.
Before these changes came in, if a proposed plan covered more than 20% of the local authority’s private rented sector, the Secretary of State had to grant approval. Now, without the need for a green light, councils will find it easier to introduce housing schemes.
Lots of EICRs will be up for inspection and testing
The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 state that private landlords must ensure that every electrical installation in their rentals is tested at least every five years by a competent and qualified person.
These regulations came into force in June 2020, so 2025 will see a lot of landlords booking those inspections in time for their first renewal – don’t forget yours!
