In England, the legal framework governing renting is made up of laws already in force and packages that are being implemented or publicly consulted on. For clear information, it helps to separate what is already adopted from what is expected to take effect next. The list below presents these laws and key official requirements in the format used in government publications and official guidance.

SECTION 1 - Adopted / in force (fully in effect or phased in)

1) Renters' Rights Act 2025 (c. 26)

Official overview: "The Act will:"

• abolish Section 21 no-fault evictions


• reform tenancies, including moving to a new system of periodic tenancies


• limit rent increases


• require landlords to give required notice for rent increases


• give tenants the right to request to keep pets


• make it illegal for landlords to discriminate against tenants who receive benefits or have children


• abolish rental bidding practices


• introduce a Private Rented Sector Ombudsman scheme


• introduce a Private Rented Sector Database


• apply a Decent Homes Standard to private rented properties


• strengthen enforcement powers, including investigatory and compliance powers

2) Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023 (c. 36)

Official standards (applicable from 1 April 2024):

Under the new standards landlords will need to:

• ensure tenants are safe in their homes


• listen to tenants' complaints and respond promptly to put things right


• be accountable to tenants and treat them with fairness and respect


• know more about the condition of every home and the needs of the people who live in them


• collect and use data effectively across a range of areas, including repairs

3) Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 (c. 22)

• Adopted leasehold/freehold reform Act, part of the government's wider reform programme

4) Leasehold Reform (Ground Rent) Act 2022

• Adopted ground rent reform Act, presented as a reform step within the leasehold programme

5) Tenant Fees Act 2019

• Adopted Act setting the framework for banning/limiting certain fees charged to tenants (Tenant Fees Act)

6) Tenancy deposit protection - current framework for private renting

• Official deposit protection rules, including required landlord information and the dispute process

7) Home safety in private renting - official landlord responsibilities

• Gas safety (annual checks and records)


• Electrical safety (required standards and checks)


• Fire safety (safety and escape requirements)


• Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms (alarm requirements)

8) Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES) - official landlord guidance

• Minimum energy efficiency rules for domestic private rented property (MEES/EPC)

9) Right to Rent checks - official guidance

• Official requirements for "Right to Rent" checks before a new tenancy starts

10) How to Rent - official checklist

• Official checklist guide for tenants and landlords in England's private rented sector

SECTION 2 - Implementation, consultation, or publicly discussed measures (what is known so far)

1) Renters' Rights Act 2025 - Implementation roadmap

• Public roadmap document describing phased implementation of the Act

2) Awaab's Law - full rollout in social housing

• Public guidance and operational requirements for social landlords (phased rollout)

3) Supported Housing - regulation and oversight

• Public consultations and oversight proposals for supported housing

4) Commonhold reform - White Paper

• Public White Paper setting out the direction for a reformed commonhold model

5) Leasehold and commonhold reform - future legislative stage

• Continuation of the 2022-2024 reform package through additional measures and regulations (in preparation / publicly referenced)