Has being a DIY Landlord become too Complicated?
In June 2022, Michael Gove the then Secretary of State made the following statement:- “Everyone has a right to a decent home. No one should be condemned to live in properties that are inadequately heated, unsafe, or unhealthy. Yet more than 2.8 million of our fellow citizens are paying to live in homes that are not fit for the 21st century. Tackling this is critical to our mission to level up the country. The reality today is that far too many renters are living in damp, dangerous, cold homes, powerless to put things right, and with the threat of sudden eviction hanging over them. They’re often frightened to raise a complaint. If they do, there is no guarantee that they won’t be penalised for it, that their rent won’t shoot up as a result, or that they won’t be hit with a Section 21 notice asking them to leave. This government is determined to tackle these injustices by offering a New Deal to those living in the Private Rented Sector; one with quality, affordability, and fairness at its heart.”
Renters’ Rights Act -It’s All About the New Norm
Just one month into the implementation of Phase 1 of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025, it is becoming clear that the issues and challenges being navigated by letting agents are consistent across England.
While experiences will vary from agency to agency, a number of common themes have emerged as letting agents adapt to the new legislative framework. In no particular order, the following trends are becoming apparent:-
Serving Section 8 (Form 3A) under Grounds 1 and 1A. Landlords are using the fact that tenancies created over 12 months ago do not bear the weight of the restrictions imposed by the Renters’ Rights Act 2025.
Settling Into Phase 1 of the Renters’ Rights Act
An interesting and highly insightful few weeks. It has now been just over two weeks since the implementation of Phase 1 of the Renters’ Rights Act, and what has been particularly interesting is how quickly the practical, real-life implications have come to the fore.
The level of attention to detail demonstrated by letting agents and landlords in preparing for the service of the Information Sheet has been impressive. Ensuring that the document is served in a compliant, accurate, and diligent manner has clearly been a major priority across the sector.
The process itself involves a significant amount of work — carefully cross-referencing records to ensure that each individual tenant receives a copy of the Information Sheet, verifying that correct tenant email addresses are held on file, and in many cases taking additional steps where there is any concern that service may later be challenged or deemed invalid.
Phase 1 of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 Changes Everything
With only one week to go before Phase 1 of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 comes into play effect, the government has published the commencement order which brings into force certain provisions of the legislation. From 1st May 2026, the core reforms apply to the private rented sector:-
All tenancies under the Housing Act 1988 become assured periodic tenancies
Fixed-term ASTs are abolished
Section 21 (‘no-fault’) evictions are removed
For now these changes will not apply to social housing.
Alongside the structural tenancy changes, several important provisions take effect:
Transitional Rules — Where the Real Complexity Lies
The Regulations are not just about new law—they are about how old and new systems interact.