Agenda item

The Private Sector Housing Manager presented the Renters Rights Act 2025 report.

In doing so it was noted that The Renters Rights Act 2025 (RRA25) obtained Royal Assent in October 2025 with reforms being introduced through a phased approach.

Phase 1 would take effect from 1st May 2026 and included the following elements:

·       The abolition of Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions.

·       The introduction of Assured Periodic Tenancies in the private rented sector.

·       The reform of possession grounds in the Private Rent Sector (PRS) so they are fair for both parties.

·       The limitation of rent increases to once a year.

·       Ban rental bidding and rent in advance.

·       It would be illegal to discriminate against renters who had children or received benefits.

·       Required landlords in the (PRS) to consider tenant requests to rent with a pet.

·       Strengthen both local council enforcement and rent repayment orders.

Members were informed that Phase 2 would take effect from late 2026 and included the following elements across two stages:

1)    Stage 1 the regional rollout of the database for Landlords and Local Councils. Signing up to the PRS Database would be mandatory for all PRS landlords and they would be required to pay an annual fee, the amount of which was still to be confirmed.

2)    Stage 2 involved the further roll out of the database and introduction of the Ombudsman.

Phase 3 involved the introduction of a new Decent Homes Standard (DHS) in the PRS. It was reported that the dates of implementation were still to be confirmed following consultation, but it was likely to start in 2035.

In addition to these measures, the Government had consulted on plans to require all domestic privately rented properties in England and Wales to meet Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) of Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) C or equivalent by 2030 unless a valid exemption was in place. Awaab’s Law would also be extended to the PRS, this dealt with mould and damp in properties and required landlords to make housing safe where they contained serious hazards.

New Burdens Funding 2025/26 had been provided by Governement to support Local Authorities with the implementation costs.  It was reported that Bromsgrove District Council had been allocated £16,575.66 to support the Council to undertake preparatory work for the new responsibilities around enforcement and reporting enforcement activity in private rented sector housing arising from the Renters’ Rights Act 2025. In addition to this, Government had also confirmed that £34,332 for 2026/27 and £16,165 for 2027/28 had been added to the Council’s final allocation of the Homelessness, Rough Sleeping and Domestic Abuse Grant 2026-29.

Following the presentation of the report, Members queried what the current EPC rating must be in the PRS. It was reported that currently rental properties could not be an F rating or below, however, it was confirmed that there were not many properties at this rating within the District.

It was hoped that this legislation would succeed in doing what it was intended to do by Governement. However, there were some reservations that it could reduce the numbers of rental properties available and increase homelessness across the District in the long term.

Members requested that a review be undertaken in six months to see the effects of the legislation and ascertain the impact on the District.

RESOLVED that

1)    The update provided in the report in respect of the Renters Rights Act 2025 be noted;

2)    The new burdens funding of £16,575.66 be noted; and

3)    A review be undertaken in six months to see the effects of the Renters Rights Act 2025 legislation and ascertain the impact on the District.

RECOMMENDED that

4)    The Scheme of Delegations be amended to incorporate new powers under the Renters Rights Act 2025.