✅ Updated April 2026 — The Renters’ Rights Act is Now in Force
This post was written when several of these changes were still expected. The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 came into force on 1 May 2026 — this legislation is no longer forthcoming, it is law. The Renters’ Rights Bill reference below should now be read as the Renters’ Rights Act. Here is a summary of the 10 key changes every Cheltenham landlord needs to know:
- ASTs become periodic tenancies — All tenancies automatically become rolling assured periodic tenancies. No more fixed terms.
- New tenancy structure — Landlords must provide a written statement of terms at the start of each tenancy.
- Section 21 abolished — No-fault evictions are gone. Landlords must use Section 8 and cite a valid ground for possession.
- New rent increase rules — Rents can only rise once per year via a Section 13 notice with at least two months’ notice.
- No rent bidding — Landlords and agents must not encourage tenants to bid above the advertised rent.
- Pets — right to request — Tenants have the right to request a pet. Landlords must respond within 28 days and cannot unreasonably refuse.
- Anti-discrimination — Landlords cannot refuse applicants solely because they have children or receive benefits.
- Decent Homes Standard & Awaab’s Law — All private rented homes must meet the Decent Homes Standard, including timely responses to damp and mould.
- PRS Database & Landlord Ombudsman — Coming later in 2026: all landlords must register with the new Private Rented Sector Database and join the Landlord Ombudsman.
- Enforcement — Councils can issue fines of up to £7,000 for a first offence, rising to £40,000 for repeat breaches.
As your letting agent, we are fully across these changes. Get in touch if you have any questions.
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!
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