What Cheadle Landlords Need to Know About the Renters’ Rights Bill

As a company who work closely with residential landlords in Cheadle and the surrounding area, we want to make sure you’re fully up to speed with one of the most significant shifts in tenancy law in decades: the Renters’ Rights Bill (sometimes styled as the Renters’ Reform Bill).

This legislation will reshape how the private rented sector works and we believe that landlords who prepare early will be best positioned to adapt, maintain compliance, and protect their returns. At Maurice Kilbride we're already ensuring our portfolio is ready for these changes, and we hope this guide helps you plan too.

Key Dates & Legislative Milestones

• The Renters’ Rights Bill has now cleared most of its Parliamentary stages and now return to the House of Lords on the 14th October for final consideration of any amendments.

• Royal Assent is anticipated later in 2025, once the Bill completes this “ping-pong” stage between the Commons and Lords.

• However, Royal Assent does not mean immediate change. Many provisions require secondary legislation and new regulatory guidance before they take effect.

• The Government has already indicated that landlords and tenants will be given a notice period — likely several months, before key measures are enforced.

• The earliest real impact is expected to be felt from early 2026, particularly for new tenancies. Existing agreements are likely to have a longer transitional period, with the reforms phased in gradually, although rumours abound that some things will literally change immediately. 

• In short, 2025 is the year the Bill becomes law, but landlords should prepare for full operational changes to unfold through 2026 and beyond.

What the Bill Will Change (for Landlords & Tenants)

Here’s a summary of the major reforms and their implications — both the less contentious and the ones still under debate.

1. Abolition of Section 21 “no-fault” evictions

One of the most talked about changes is the removal of Section 21 — the so-called “no-fault” eviction ground. Under the new scheme, landlords will no longer be able to evict tenants without providing a valid legal reason (i.e via the new “grounds for possession”).

2. New tenancy regime & periodic tenancies

The Bill proposes that assured shorthold tenancies (ASTs) will be phased out and replaced with a periodic tenancy regime. That means tenancies may no longer have a fixed end date (except by mutual agreement), and tenants may have greater security.

3. Rent increases: notice, limits, and challenge

• Rent increases will be limited to once per year.

• Landlords will be required to serve a statutory notice (with at least two months’ notice) for any proposed rent rise.

• Tenants will have the right to challenge above market increases via the First-Tier Tribunal.

4. Ban on “rental bidding” & transparency of asking rent

The Bill will prohibit rental bidding (i.e. landlords soliciting offers above a stated asking price). All offers must be transparent and based on a published asking rent.

5. Limits on upfront payments, deposits & pet policies

• Landlords will not be able to demand more than one month’s rent upfront for new agreements.

• Tenants will gain a right to request a pet, and landlords may request pet damage insurance or an additional pet deposit, although this ia still under consultation and may change prior to the legislation becoming law. 

6. Safety, repair standards & enforcement

• The Bill introduces a Decent Homes Standard for private rented homes, aligning them with healthier and safer living criteria.

• Local authorities will have stronger enforcement powers, including increased penalties and broader Rent Repayment Orders.

• “Awaab’s Law” principles — requiring faster responses to hazards such as damp and mould — will extend into the PRS.

What This Means for Cheadle Landlords — and What To Do Now

Given how close the Bill is to becoming law, you don’t have months to wait. Preparation now will help you avoid reactive scrambling later. Here’s our strategic “checklist” of steps to take:

1. Review tenancy documentation and templates to ensure they can be adapted to the new regime.

2. Build a rent review process aligned to the new rules — one increase per year, properly documented, with evidence of market value.

3. Audit property condition proactively to get ahead of the Decent Homes Standard.

4. Prepare for the end of Section 21 by strengthening record keeping and clarity around possession grounds.

5. Assess pet and deposit policies now, so you’re not caught off guard when tenant requests arrive.

6. Plan for tribunal and ombudsman processes with better communication and documentation systems.

7. Stay informed and adaptable, as secondary legislation and guidance will define much of the practical detail.

Why Maurice Kilbride Is Your Best Partner Through the Transition

• Proactive Monitoring & Insight — We’re tracking every Bill stage and amendment so you don’t have to.

• Trusted Local Expertise — As Cheadle’s go to agent, we understand the local rental market and how national reforms apply here on the ground.

• Tailored Support — From lease audits to rent review planning, we’re ready to manage the transition for you.

• Clear Communication — We’ll translate complex legislation into practical steps for landlords, keeping you informed at every stage.

Final Thought

The Renters’ Rights Bill marks the most significant change to private renting in decades. 2025 will see the Bill passed into law, but 2026 is when landlords will begin to feel its impact in practice. Those who prepare early will be ahead of the curve.

At Maurice Kilbride, we’re here to ensure that Cheadle landlords not only remain compliant but also continue to achieve strong, secure returns.

If you’d like us to carry out a free preliminary compliance audit or a rent review strategy session, please contact Patrick or Maurice on 0161 428 3663, e-mail lettings@mkiea.co.uk or why not pop into our office on Cheadle High Street for a chat.