Real Estate Bulletin - October 2025

Renters' Rights Act 2025

The Renters’ Rights Act has now received Royal Assent.

This is a significant piece of legislation impacting the residential private rented sector in England which, once implemented, will:

• Bring about the end of assured shorthold tenancies and section 21 ‘no fault evictions’ and introduce a new periodic tenancy regime with annual rent review. Tenants will be required to give a minimum of two months’ notice to bring a tenancy to an end.
• Prohibit rent review clauses and introduce revised procedures for appealing rent increases.
• Reform certain possession grounds.
• End the practice of rental bidding by prohibiting landlords and agents from asking for or accepting offers above the advertised rent.
• Introduce anti-discrimination measures in relation to any practices which discourage renting to tenants in receipt of benefits or with children.
• Introduce a new Ombudsman scheme that private landlords must join and a Private Rented Sector Database.
• Introduce a decent homes standard for the private rented sector and also apply ‘Awaab’s Law’ to the sector.
• Introduce enhanced enforcement provisions and sanctions for breaching administrative regulations.
• Give tenants increased rights to request a pet.

The date on which the Act will be brought into force is yet to be confirmed with the government stating that ‘in the coming weeks, ministers will outline how the reforms will be rolled out’. Also outstanding is a large amount of secondary legislation which is necessary for the Act to come into force. To date, the government has not published any of this draft secondary legislation.

The government indicated in the debate on the Bill in the House of Commons on 8 September 2025 that the government 'will allow for a smooth transition to the new system'.  In terms of the end of the assured shorthold tenancies regime and section 21 'no fault' evictions, and the introduction of the new periodic assured tenancy regime, Matthew Pennycook confirmed that the government plans "to introduce the new tenancies for the private rented sector in one stage. On that date, the new tenancy system will apply to all private tenancies: existing tenancies will convert to the new system and any new tenancies signed on or after the date will be governed by the new rules", but he then set out that the government intends to work closely with all parts of the sector to ensure a smooth transition and, crucially, *"we will provide sufficient notice ahead of implementation"*. The government has previously indicated it will provide both landlords and tenants with a 'full suite of guidance' to help them prepare.

Other measures are also unlikely to come into force immediately. For example, the government has already indicated that its proposal is that the Decent Homes Standard "becomes an enforceable requirement in privately rented homes from 2035 or 2037".

Webinar: Building Safety Blueprint -Managing Risks, Delays, and Compliance

Join us on 29 October 2025 (9.30-10.30 UK) for an update on key developments in building safety regulation, risk management, and compliance following the Building Safety Act 2022.

You can register here.

Consultation on the home buying process

On 6 October, the government launched a consultation on the home buying process.

The consultation notes that the government wants to deliver 'a faster, more reliable home buying and selling system, driven by informed consumers, innovative technology and high-standard professional services'. Following the consultation, the government intends to publish a roadmap 'setting out how government will transform home buying and selling over the course of this parliament'.

Key proposals in the consultation on which the government is seeking views include:

• A comprehensive pack of 'upfront property information': This would require a standardised set of data at 'the point of listing'. As well as basic information about the property, the consultation notes this could also include title information, standard searches, a set of standard enquiries and a 'property condition assessment tailored to the property age and type'. Other information could also be required. The government acknowledges that this would be a significant change and that they would explore 'legislative options' in relation to this measure.

• Professionalising property agents: The government is proposing a Code of Practice setting out the minimum standards expected of all residential property agents, including estate, letting, and managing agents. The proposed Code would be on a non-statutory basis (but could be put on a statutory footing in future 'if necessary').

  The government is also seeking views on its proposal to consult on mandatory qualifications for estate and letting agents.

• Digital property logbooks and packs: The government is proposing that 'digital property packs should become a standard feature of property transactions in the UK', and it is seeking views on whether it should consider legislating to require their use.

• Binding conditional contracts: The government acknowledges this would need to follow 'the introduction of comprehensive upfront information', but it is seeking views on whether the government 'should support mechanisms to make property transactions more binding at an earlier stage' and the most effective means of doing so.

• Requiring property professionals to publish increased information about their services.

• Streamlining AML checks and exploring 'opportunities to support AI conveyancing technology to save conveyancers time'.

The government notes it is building on various measures which are already underway to digitalise the home buying and selling process and measures contained in the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 to speed up the provision of information for leaseholders and homeowners on private estates.

The consultation runs for 12 weeks from 6 October to 29 December 2025.

Awaab's Law: Regulations come into force on 27 October 2025

The Hazards in Social Housing (Prescribed Requirements) (England) Regulations 2025 come into force on 27 October 2025. The Regulations will mark the start of a phased introduction of Awaab's Law for socially rented homes.

The regulations provide that from 27 October 2025 landlords will have to address all emergency hazards and all damp and mould hazards that present a significant risk of harm to tenants within fixed timeframes.

On 17 October 2025 the government also published updated non-statutory guidance in relation to the Regulations.  This guidance also provides details on the phased approach to the remaining hazards that will be covered by the legislation.

UK Corporate Governance Update Autumn 2025

This UK corporate governance update covers the period from July 2025 to October 2025.

ESG View - October 2025

Read our most recent edition of ESG view here.