An A-Z of the Key Terms in the Renters' Rights Act 2025

The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 introduces some of the most significant overhauls to the private rented sector in decades.

With reforms aimed at changing how landlords regain possession of their properties, understanding these updates is essential for remaining compliant. The Act received Royal Assent on 27 October 2025, with phased implementation beginning 1 May 2026.

In this blog, we have given some definitions that we think will be useful to both landlords and tenants.

Assured Periodic Tenancy (APT)

A rolling tenancy with no fixed end date. Tenants can end an Assured Periodic Tenancy with two months’ notice, while landlords must provide a valid reason to end the tenancy.

Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST)

The most common tenancy type in England, typically with a fixed term and replaced by periodic tenancies under the new Renters’ Right Act 2025.

Awaab’s Law

Named after the avoidable death of a two year old boy due to inadequate protection from mould in the family’s social home. This provision mandates swift action on health hazards like mould and damp in rental homes.

Arrears

The legal term for money that has gone unpaid past its scheduled due date on a recurring obligation.

Banned fee

Banned fees refer to charges that are prohibited by law.

Breach

A legal breach is the violation or failure to fulfil a law, contractual obligation, or duty, which can lead to legal consequences.

Commencement date

The date when the new law takes effect. All tenancies (new and existing) will convert to periodic tenancies on this date.

Category 1 hazard

A category 1 hazard is defined as a serious and immediate risk to health and safety that arises from a deficiency in a dwelling or its surroundings. This includes hazards such as damp and mould, dangerously steep stairs, faulty electrics, and serious fire risks.

Category 2 hazard

A category 2 hazard is the second highest band of residential hazards containing threats to health such as excess cold and improper ventilation.

Decent Homes Standard (DHS)

A minimum quality benchmark for rental properties with standards such as being free of Category 1 hazards, being in a reasonable state of repair, providing core facilities and services, providing thermal comfort and being free of damp and mould. Local councils will enforce compliance.

Discrimination ban

Landlords cannot refuse tenants on the grounds that they have children or are in receipt of benefits payments.

Eviction

Eviction is the legal process by which a landlord or property owner removes a tenant from leased property, typically through court action.

Fixed term tenancy

A fixed-term tenancy is a rental agreement that lasts for a specific, agreed-upon period, such as six months or one year.

First tier Tribunal

Tribunal is the initial level of the tribunal system, with appeals going to the Upper Tribunal.

Freehold property

Freehold is a type of property ownership where the owner has complete and indefinite rights over both the land and any buildings on it.

Grounds for possession

Legal reasons a landlord can use to reclaim their property. These have been clarified and expanded under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025.

Housing act 1988

The act introduced the concepts of assured tenancy and assured shorthold tenancy. It also facilitated the transfer of council housing to not-for-profit housing associations.

Improvement notice

An improvement notice is a formal legal notice issued by a local housing authority requiring action to improve a property.

Leasehold

In a leasehold agreement you own the property but not the land it stands on.

Landlords

A landlord is an individual or entity that owns or manages real property and leases it to a tenant in exchange for rent, retaining legal ownership while granting the tenant the right to occupy and use the property.

Mandatory

A rule that must be followed by everyone without exception.

Ombudsman

The ombudsman will be an independent body that resolves disputes between landlords and tenants without the need for court and legal fees.

Private Rented Sector (PRS) Database

The PRS Database will be an online register of all landlords and tenancies requiring information such as: landlord contact details, property details and safety information such as gas certificates.

Pets

Tenants will have to write a formal request if they would like to have a pet within the tenancy and landlords must not refuse unreasonably. There is no clear-cut answer as to what is considered unreasonable however, guidance says it would not normally be reasonable to refuse permission for a pet because the landlord doesn’t like pets.

Possession

Possession is when a landlord seeks to regain control of the property. This can be done if they have a mandatory or discretionary ground.

Periodic tenancy

A periodic tenancy is a rolling tenancy with no fixed end date, continuing or monthly basis until either the tenant or landlord gives notice.

Rent in advance

Payment upfront for a long-term let. The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 will prohibit rent in advance and cap upfront payments at one month’s rent. This aims to reduce financial barriers for tenants.

Rental bidding ban

Landlords and agents are prohibited from encouraging or accepting offers above the advertised rent (i.e. no bidding wars).

Redress scheme

A redress scheme is a structured programme designed to provide compensation, remedies, or other forms of relief to individuals who have suffered harm loss or unfair treatment.

RRA

Renters’ Rights Act 2025.

Section 21 notice

Also known as ‘no-fault eviction’. A legal provision allowing landlords to evict tenants without giving a reason. Under the new Act to enhance tenant security, this will be abolished. The law comes into affect on 1st May 2026 and any final notices must be delivered before 30th April 2026.

Section 8 notice

A formal notice used by landlords to seek possession of a property for specific legal reasons (e.g. rent arrears, property damage). This becomes the primary eviction route post-Section 21 abolition.

Section 1 notice

This is where the landlord seeks to gain possession of the property to house family. The definition of family in this circumstance now contains the landlords’ parents, grandparents, siblings, children and grandchildren.

Statutory Law

Statute Law, also known as Statutory Law, is distinct from Common Law in the UK legal system. Statute Law refers to the body of written laws enacted by legislative bodies, such as Parliament, providing clear guidance and structure for legal processes.

Tenant

A tenant is defined as an individual or group who rents and occupies a property owned by a landlord.

Thermal comfort

Thermal comfort is defined as the mental satisfaction of an appropriate living temperature. This is above 16 degrees Celsius legally.

With the private rented sector entering a new era of regulation, staying informed is essential to protect your properties and ensure compliance.

Are you prepared for the changes?

If you are unsure how the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 will affect your tenancies, eviction processes or property management practices, get in touch with us today. Our team can guide you through the upcoming changes and help you prepare for the new legal landscape.

Contact Elleanor Saunders, telephone: 01535 613665 or email: elleanor.saunders@awbclaw.co.uk

Or Christopher Cooper, telephone: 01535 613680 or email: christopher.cooper@awbclaw.co.uk

Elleanor and Chris