Prepare Your Tenancy Agreement for the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 – A Landlord Checklist

The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 introduces sweeping changes that will redefine how landlords draft, manage, and enforce tenancy agreements. To remain compliant and avoid future disputes, landlords must act now to update their contracts.

This article provides a practical, step-by-step guide to preparing your tenancy agreement for the Renters’ Rights Act 2025, ensuring every term, clause, and notice aligns with the latest legal requirements.

Reviewing Your Existing Tenancy Templates

The first step in preparing your tenancy agreement for the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 is to thoroughly review your current templates. Many existing contracts still contain clauses referencing fixed-term ASTs, Section 21 notices, and outdated possession procedures that are no longer valid.

Begin by examining:

How your tenancy term is defined (fixed vs periodic).
Any reference to Section 21 or “no-fault” eviction.
Rent review clauses that might conflict with new annual limits.
Deposit protection and repayment language.

Landlords should remove or amend any sections that contradict the new Act. By reviewing and modernising these documents now, you’ll ensure your tenancy agreements remain enforceable once the new law entirely takes effect.

Removing Outdated or Unlawful Clauses

Under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025, many traditional tenancy clauses are now prohibited or require significant modification. Landlords who fail to remove outdated or unlawful terms could find their agreements challenged in court or deemed unenforceable.

Standard Clauses to Remove or Revise:

Fixed-term tenancy language (replaced by rolling periodic terms).
Clauses allowing eviction without cause.
Blanket bans on pets, children, or tenants receiving benefits.
Excessive rent increase clauses or automatic renewal terms.
“Professional cleaning required” clauses are required unless tied to proven tenant damage.

When updating, focus on clarity and fairness. Clauses must be transparent and compliant with both the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 and the Consumer Rights Act 2015. This ensures your agreements reflect modern standards of fairness and professionalism.

Updating Deposit, Rent, and Notice Clauses

A critical part of preparing your tenancy agreement for the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 involves revising its financial and procedural terms. Deposit protection, rent increases, and notice periods all have new or updated requirements.

Deposit Clauses:

Ensure the deposit amount is capped at five weeks’ rent (for annual rents under £50,000) and protected in an approved government scheme. Clearly outline how deductions will be handled in accordance with the Act.

Rent Clauses:

Under the new legislation, rent can be increased only once every 12 months, and tenants must be given at least 2 months’ notice using the prescribed Section 13 form. Remove any conflicting rent review mechanisms.

Notice Clauses:

Since fixed terms no longer apply, notice periods must reflect the new legal framework. Tenants can leave with two months’ notice, while landlords must rely on the latest statutory grounds for possession rather than arbitrary end dates.

Updating these sections now ensures that when enforcement begins, your agreements meet every compliance standard under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025.

Aligning Your Agreements with the New Grounds for Possession

Possession procedures are one of the most transformative parts of the Act. Section 21 “no-fault” evictions are abolished, meaning landlords can only regain possession under the new grounds for possession set out in the Renters’ Rights Act 2025.

To prepare your tenancy agreement properly:

Replace all references to Section 21 with references to statutory possession grounds.
Ensure your tenancy clauses reference legitimate reasons for possession, such as rent arrears, property sale, or landlord reoccupation.
Include a clause confirming that the landlord will follow the formal notice process as required by law.

Aligning agreements with these updated grounds ensures your contracts remain enforceable while protecting tenants’ rights under the new regime. Understanding these changes is fundamental to preparing your tenancy agreement for the Renters’ Rights Act 2025.

Training Staff and Agents on Compliance

Even the most compliant tenancy agreement will fail if your team doesn’t understand how to apply it correctly. Training is therefore vital to preparing your tenancy agreement for the Renters’ Rights Act 2025.

Landlords, property managers, and letting agents should receive training on:

The end of fixed-term tenancies and new periodic terms.
How to serve rent increase and possession notices legally.
How to handle tenant challenges and maintain fairness.
Updated documentation and record-keeping procedures.

Regular internal reviews and legal briefings help ensure every staff member acts in accordance with the new law. This proactive approach not only reduces risk but also demonstrates professional diligence in the event of a dispute.

FAQs

Do old tenancy agreements remain valid?

Existing tenancy agreements signed before the Act came into force will remain valid until their fixed term expires. Once that term ends, the tenancy automatically becomes periodic and is then governed by the Renters’ Rights Act 2025. Landlords should still review and update their templates immediately to ensure compliance for future tenancies.

Should I consult a solicitor before updating contracts?

Yes, it’s strongly advisable. Consulting a housing solicitor or professional landlord association can ensure your agreements meet the new legal standards. Professional review reduces the risk of invalid clauses and provides confidence that your tenancy terms comply fully with the Renters’ Rights Act 2025.

Conclusion

Learning how to prepare your tenancy agreement for the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 is essential for all landlords and letting agents. By reviewing old templates, removing unlawful terms, updating financial clauses, and aligning agreements with the new possession grounds, landlords can safeguard their interests while complying with modern housing law. Early preparation will not only prevent disputes but also demonstrate professionalism and fairness in a changing rental landscape.

Read our top-read blogs:

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Need help now? Contact Landlord Advice UK today for tailored guidance and practical support to future-proof your rental business.