The Renters' Rights Act 2025 received Royal Assent on 27 October 2025 and is being switched on in phases. It is aimed at landlords and tenants, but almost every change it makes runs through the trades who keep rented homes safe and compliant.
What is changing
- Section 21 abolished. So-called no-fault evictions ended with the first phase of the Act from 1 May 2026, and fixed-term assured shorthold tenancies are being replaced by periodic tenancies.
- A Decent Homes Standard for private rentals. The standard that has long applied to social housing is being extended to the private rented sector, setting minimum conditions for safety, repair and facilities.
- Awaab's Law extended to private rentals. The fixed repair timescales for damp, mould and other hazards are coming to private landlords too (see our Awaab's Law guide).
- A landlord database and ombudsman. A digital private rented sector database and a single ombudsman scheme increase the paper trail landlords have to keep.
More enforced standards mean more inspections, more remedial work and more documentation. Landlords who once cut corners now have a database, an ombudsman and enforceable deadlines pushing them to use qualified trades and keep the certificates.
The certificates landlords still need
None of the existing safety duties go away; they sit underneath the new standards. A compliant private rental still needs a current gas safety record (CP12) renewed every 12 months, a satisfactory five-yearly EICR, working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, and a valid EPC. If you want a reminder of the penalties that drive landlords to stay compliant, see our guide to UK landlord fines.
Be the trade that makes compliance easy
Landlords facing a tougher regime want suppliers who hand over clean, dated, audit-ready paperwork without being chased. Producing the certificate on the spot, with the landlord's details and the property already on file, is a genuine selling point under the new rules.
Read the government's guide to the Renters' Rights Act for the full set of provisions and timings.
Related Certificates
Create Compliant Certificates in Minutes
CertBox helps tradesmen produce professional, regulation-compliant certificates on any device.
Start your free trial10-day free trial. No credit card required.
Published 2026-06-24. This article is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. Always refer to the relevant standards and consult qualified professionals for definitive requirements.