Renters' Rights Act 2025: What It Means For Housing Disrepair

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The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 is widely regarded as one of the most significant changes to the private rental sector in a generation, with key provisions taking effect from 1 May 2026 for certain types of tenancies following the publication of the roadmap in November 2025 - the implementation of the legislation is being supported by the Government through landlords and tenants guides, as well as an information sheet.

Much of the attention focused on the end of Section 21 so-called ‘No Fault’ evictions, stronger tenant rights, reforms to tenancies, and the creation of a private rented sector ombudsman and landlord database and portal, however, there’s another important perspective for landlords and housing professionals to consider, which is the likely impact of the Act on housing disrepair.

While the Act is not specifically disrepair legislation and will not apply to assured tenancies social housing provided by Private Registered Providers (PRPs) until October 2027, it already applies to assured tenancies of social housing where the landlord is not a PRP and is likely to have a significant impact on how repair issues are reported, managed and escalated.

 

Increased tenant confidence

One of the biggest practical effects of the reforms could be a change in tenant behaviour.

Historically, some tenants may have avoided reporting serious repairs or damp and mould concerns because they feared retaliatory eviction or damaging the relationship with their landlord.

With the proposed abolition of Section 21, tenants may feel more secure in:

  • reporting disrepair issues
  • escalating complaints
  • asserting their legal rights

 

This could lead to greater visibility of housing conditions that may previously have gone unreported.

 

Disrepair as a tenancy management issue

Traditionally, some landlords have viewed repairs as a purely operational or maintenance issue, however, that mindset is becoming increasingly outdated.

The Renters’ Rights Act reforms sit alongside:

 

Together, these changes mean that disrepair is now closely linked to:

  • resident satisfaction
  • complaints handling
  • public reputation
  • legal compliance
  • financial performance

 

In practice, landlords who fail to deal with repairs quickly and fairly are likely to face greater scrutiny, escalation and penalties.

 

The rise of the professional landlord

The reforms are also likely to accelerate the move towards a permanently professional private rented sector.

Landlords will increasingly be expected to:

  • keep accurate repair records
  • carry out regular, comprehensive inspections
  • communicate clearly with tenants and in writing
  • demonstrate compliance with legal obligations

 

This mirrors wider trends already seen in the social housing sector, where governance, evidence and tenant engagement have become central themes.

For many landlords, prevention and early resolution will become far more important than reactive dispute management.

 

Complaints and disrepair are becoming more connected

As tenants become more aware of their rights, complaints handling will play a bigger role in preventing disrepair escalation.

Poor communication, delayed repairs or unclear processes can quickly damage trust and increase the likelihood of:

  • complaints
  • escalations
  • Environmental Health involvement
  • legal action

 

Disrepair claim volumes

The Act may give way to an increase in disrepair claims, although not necessarily in the way some people and organisations may expect.

The reforms are more likely to lead to:

  • earlier reporting of issues
  • higher expectations on landlords
  • increased accountability around housing conditions

 

Landlords who invest in planned maintenance, good communication, effective repair processes and robust assurance regimes may actually reduce the likelihood of formal legal disputes.

 

Increased demand for social housing

The number of homes available to rent in the UK is declining due to multiple factors affecting the viability of small private landlords, such as:

  • tax changes
  • renters rights reforms
  • energy efficiency requirements
  • higher mortgage interest rates

 

As many such landlords exit the market and the supply of rental properties continues to decrease, there could be a significant impact on the housing capacity of the social housing sector due to increased demand on both housing associations and Councils to provide solutions.


Changes from October 2027

From October 2027, the Renters’ Rights Act will apply to social housing assured tenancies provided by PRPs.

The Act introduces a new tenancy system, including:

  • assured shorthold tenancies (ASTs) will become assured periodic (rolling) tenancies
  • all new assured tenancies will be periodic from the start
  • Section 21 evictions will be abolished
  • Updated grounds for possession will apply
  • PRPs will be required to provide tenants with certain information in writing at the outset of tenancies

 

Why does this matter?

The Renters’ Rights Act does not directly change disrepair law, but it could fundamentally reshape the environment in which housing disrepair is managed.

For landlords, the direction of travel needs to be:

  • Prevention over reaction
  • Communication over conflict
  • Professionalism over informality

 

For tenants and leaseholders, the reforms may provide greater confidence to raise concerns and expect safe, healthy homes.

For the wider sector, the challenge will be balancing stronger tenant protections with fair, proportionate and effective dispute resolution.

 

How can DISREPAIR AWARE help?

Many rented homes are not inspected regularly or maintained properly - we want to help improve housing conditions for everyone.

DISREPAIR AWARE helps:

 

You can find more news and insights about housing disrepair on our Blog.

 

 

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