The government’s Renters (Reform) Bill is set to change the rental sector more than any legislation in a generation. For landlords, it’s crucial to understand what’s coming and prepare early.
What is changing?
The most talked-about change is the abolition of Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions. This means landlords will no longer be able to regain possession of their property without citing a reason. Instead, the process will rely on strengthened Section 8 grounds, including:
Rent arrears
- Breach of tenancy agreement
- Landlord wishing to sell
- Landlord or family moving into the property
At the same time, all tenancies will be periodic from day one. This gives tenants the right to leave with just two months’ notice, adding potential costs to landlords if voids aren’t managed effectively.
Why act now?
Once the Bill receives Royal Assent, it will be too late to use Section 21. If you’re currently dealing with a problem tenancy, serving notice before the deadline could save you significant time, stress, and expense.
Compliance is key
Another major factor is compliance. Many landlords still make mistakes with EPC ratings, deposit registration, or issuing How to Rent guides. Under the new rules, errors will be more costly than ever, potentially invalidating possession notices.
How Homefinders can help
At Homefinders, we’re already rewriting tenancy agreements and updating our systems to align with the new framework. For landlords who manage their own property, we offer compliance checks and advisory calls. For those who want full peace of mind, our management packages mean everything is handled for you.