Renters' Rights Glossary
With over 150 years of experience in successfully helping landlords and tenants to rent properties, here's our glossary of terms to help you navigate the changes being brought about by the Renter's Rights Bill in 2025.
A
Landlords and letting agents are no longer allowed to ask for more than one month’s rent in advance, making it easier for people to afford a new tenancy.
A tenancy that continues on a rolling basis with no fixed end date. Tenants may leave with two months’ notice, while landlords must provide a valid reason to end the tenancy.
A common type of tenancy agreement with a fixed term. Under the new law, these will be replaced by open-ended agreements.
A new rule requiring landlords to fix serious health hazards, such as mould and damp, within a set time frame.
B
Landlords and agents must not encourage or accept offers above the advertised rent. This prevents bidding wars among prospective tenants.
C
The date on which the new law comes into effect. From this point, all tenancies will automatically become periodic.
D
A minimum standard that all rental properties must meet, covering safety, repairs, and general living conditions. Local councils will be responsible for enforcement.
G
The legal reasons a landlord may use to regain possession of their property. These have been updated and clarified under the new legislation.
P
An independent body established to help resolve disputes between landlords and tenants without the need to go to court.
A new online register where landlords must list their properties. This helps ensure transparency and allows tenants to check that a landlord is following the rules.
Landlords may not refuse to rent to someone simply because they have children or receive benefits.
R
Landlords may only raise rent once per year and must give proper notice using a Section 13 form. Tenants have the right to challenge increases through a tribunal.
Tenants may ask to keep a pet, and landlords must not refuse without a good reason. They may ask the tenant to take out pet insurance.
S
A legal clause that allowed landlords to evict tenants without giving a reason. This has now been abolished to provide tenants with greater security.
A formal notice a landlord must serve if they wish to evict a tenant for specific reasons, such as unpaid rent or damage to the property. This is now the main legal route for eviction.