Quick Answer
The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 abolished Section 21 “no fault” evictions, made all tenancies periodic from the outset rather than fixed-term, introduced a statutory information sheet requirement for new tenancies, and tied compliance certificate breaches more directly to a landlord’s ability to regain possession of a property. It applies to both new and existing tenancies in England.
The Headline Change: Section 21 Is Gone
Landlords can no longer end a tenancy simply by giving notice without a stated reason. All possession claims must now go through Section 8, using specific legal grounds such as rent arrears, anti-social behaviour, or a landlord’s genuine intention to sell or move into the property. This is the single biggest shift in the Act and affects how every eviction must now be handled.
Tenancies Are Now Periodic From Day One
Fixed-term assured shorthold tenancies have been phased out. New tenancies begin as periodic arrangements, giving tenants more flexibility to leave with proper notice and removing the old fixed-term lock-in that landlords previously relied on for guaranteed occupancy periods.
Compliance Certificates Now Matter More for Possession
Under the new framework, several compliance requirements are tied more directly to a landlord’s ability to serve a valid possession notice. This includes gas safety compliance, deposit protection, and other statutory documentation. A landlord with an out-of-date gas safety certificate or an unprotected deposit may find their ability to regain possession compromised, even where the underlying reason for wanting possession is otherwise valid.
The New Statutory Information Sheet
The old How to Rent guide has been withdrawn and replaced with a new statutory Renters’ Rights Act information sheet. This must be served on tenants before or at the start of every new tenancy. Landlords also now need to provide a written statement of terms at the start of every periodic tenancy and after any material change during the tenancy, which is a new administrative duty many landlords are still adjusting to.
Does This Apply to Existing Tenancies?
Yes. The Act applies to both new tenancies and tenancies that were already running when it came into force, meaning landlords could not simply wait out the change with existing tenants. Transitional provisions applied around the point of commencement, but the core protections now apply across the sector.
What Landlords Should Do Now
- Review your eviction process and ensure any possession action goes through Section 8 with a valid ground, since Section 21 is no longer available
- Update your tenancy documentation to remove fixed-term references where new tenancies are concerned
- Serve the new statutory information sheet for all new tenancies going forward
- Prepare a written statement of terms process for periodic tenancies and any material changes
- Double-check that your gas safety, EICR, and deposit protection compliance is fully current, since these now carry added weight in any possession scenario
How This Ties Into Everything Else
Every compliance area covered across our EICR, gas safety, deposit protection, and Right to Rent guides now sits within this wider legal framework. Falling behind on any single certificate is no longer just a standalone risk. It can directly affect your legal standing if you ever need to regain possession of your property. See our gas safety certificate guide and our EICR failure guide for the certificate-specific detail behind this wider shift.
Frequently Asked Questions
Has Section 21 been abolished?
Yes. Landlords must now use Section 8 with a specific legal ground for any possession claim.
Do I need to give tenants a new information sheet?
Yes, the statutory Renters’ Rights Act information sheet replaces the old How to Rent guide and must be served for new tenancies.
Does the Act apply to tenancies that started before it came into force?
Yes, the Act applies to existing tenancies as well as new ones, following transitional arrangements around commencement.
Are fixed-term tenancies still allowed?
New tenancies are now periodic from the outset rather than fixed-term.
Does non-compliance with gas safety or deposit protection affect eviction rights?
Yes, these compliance areas are now tied more directly to a landlord’s ability to serve a valid possession notice.
Related Reading
This article reflects the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 as understood as of August 2026.