Renters’ Rights Bill Moves Closer to Law — But Questions Remain
On 8 September 2025, the Renters’ Rights Bill returned to the House of Commons for its Ping-Pong Stage, the decisive moment when MPs consider and respond to amendments from the Lords. It is a crucial step in determining whether the Bill can reach Royal Assent before year’s end.
MPs accepted a handful of technical changes, but the Government made its stance unmistakably clear: the central reforms will proceed largely intact. During the debate, Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook confirmed that the flagship shift to periodic tenancies in the private rented sector will be implemented in one stage, potentially within just three months of Royal Assent. The change will apply across the board: existing agreements will convert, and all new tenancies thereafter will be bound by the new system.
The direction of travel is now beyond doubt. Yet significant uncertainties remain. The treatment of student lets, the impact on supply, and the mechanics of enforcement are still unresolved. For agents and landlords, clarity on these issues will be as important as the headline reforms themselves.
Certainty — clear guidance on how the new rules will function day-to-day.
Fair enforcement — robust measures to tackle rogue operators without penalising compliant professionals.
Practical solutions — tailored provisions for student housing and short-let markets, ensuring reform reflects the diversity of the sector.
The Bill may be edging towards the statute book, but the fine print will determine its true impact.
For more information, please contact us.
