The biggest news story of this month is that the Renters’ Rights Bill has achieved Royal Assent, and is now the Renters’ Rights Act! This means that the Act is now law in England and that the government will soon start implementing the new legislation.
In other news, Awaab’s Law now applies to properties owned by social landlords, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, faced a minor political storm after it emerged that her rental property was incorrectly licensed.
The Renters’ Rights Act becomes law
On October 27, the Renters’ Rights Bill received Royal Assent and became the Renters’ Rights Act. This legislation marks the most significant reforms to the Private Rented Sector in over three decades.
Among the key provisions is the abolition of “no-fault” Section 21 evictions, meaning landlords will need a legally defined reason for repossession, such as a Section 8 notice. It also replaces fixed-term assured shorthold tenancies (ASTs) with periodic tenancies, meaning that tenants will no longer be tied into AST contracts.
Although the Act is now law, its implementation will be phased from 2026, with new tenancies moving first to the new open-ended model and existing tenancies following later. Initial priorities will include ending fixed-term assured shorthold tenancies, abolishing Section 21 “no-fault” evictions, and introducing new statutory grounds for possession, with at least six months’ notice before commencement.
Longer-term changes will include a national landlord and property database, a strengthened Ombudsman scheme, new Decent Homes standards, digitalised court processes, and stronger local enforcement. As your letting agency, we will review your tenancy agreements, remove outdated clauses, and update management processes to ensure full compliance as each stage takes effect.
Awaab’s Law now applies to social landlords in England
Awaab’s Law, which aims to protect the health of tenants from mould and damp, now applies to social landlords in England. The law, provoked by the tragic death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak in 2020, sets strict timelines for the repair of reported instances of mould and damp.
Under the law, social landlords will be required to investigate and fix reported emergency health hazards within 24 hours. Landlords must also investigate serious cases of damp and mould within ten working days, make the property safe within five working days, and provide the tenants with inspection reports within three working days.
The legislation also sets out future phases, which will extend beyond damp and mould to hazards such as excess cold, extreme heat, fire risks, and electrical dangers. Over time, Awaab’s Law will be applied to the private rented sector as well, raising standards for all tenants and ensuring that homes meet basic health and safety requirements.
Failure to comply can result in legal enforcement, compensation claims, and court action. As compliance is essential, we’ll be on hand to help you set out inspection schedules that help maintain your properties and keep your tenants safe.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves faces scrutiny over unlicensed letting
Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, has come under scrutiny after it emerged she unknowingly permitted her four-bedroom house in south London to be let without securing the required council licence.
According to emails revealed between her husband and the letting agency, a staff member had volunteered to apply for the licence but did not follow through; the agency has publicly accepted responsibility for the oversight.
Charged with navigating a key autumn budget, Reeves appears to have retained her position for now. However, opposition figures argue the matter is unresolved, pointing to newly released documents indicating she had been notified in writing of the licence requirement.
This story reveals how an inadvertent human error can cause major issues for agencies and their landlords. At Revive Property Management Services Limited, we partner with platforms like Goodlord so that issues like this never happen to clients like you. Goodlord’s automated process ensures that all relevant licences are in place, and every regulation is adhered to.