As a letting agent in Cheltenham, we understand the concerns that many landlords have about the UK’s Renters Reform Bill.
The headlines are fairly alarming but, in reality, the proposed changes are manageable for landlords who already run their properties well.
At our agency, we support all our landlord clients through any legislative changes and market shifts. The Renters Reform Bill is no exception.
As far as we know, there will be an end to Section 21 which allows ‘no fault’ evictions.
At the moment, a landlord can ask a tenant to leave (subject to the agreed notice period) without stating why.
We rarely serve Section 21 notices unless a landlord is selling or moving back into the property.
These reasons remain protected under the new rules. Landlords will still be able to regain possession, just through a clarified legal route.
The removal of no fault evictions sounds severe, but in practice, few responsible landlords use this without cause. The changes aim to remove abuse, not block genuine cases.
The new legislation means that all new tenancies will begin as periodic from day one. Tenants will have the flexibility to leave with notice, but they will not gain indefinite control of the property.
For landlords in Cheltenham, this reduces the need to reissue fixed-term contracts every year. Many tenants already prefer long-term arrangements, and this structure supports that without compromising landlord control.
As a lettings agency, we believe this shift could even streamline tenancy management in the long run.
Under the new system, some possession grounds, such as for rent arrears or anti-social behaviour, can only be used after the tenant has lived in the property for 12 months. This makes good referencing and early documentation even more important.
We work closely with landlords to ensure evidence is in place early, so that if issues arise, they are ready to act quickly and within the law.
Persistent rent arrears will still justify eviction. Your rights are not being removed. They are simply being reframed.
The legislation will include Awaab’s Law (Clause 42 of the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023), which requires landlords to fix serious health hazards such as damp and mould within set timeframes. It also introduces the Decent Homes Standard to the private rented sector.
If your property is already well-maintained, these updates will not affect you. But they do raise the bar for consistency, especially in older or less frequently inspected properties.
We carry out regular property checks to keep landlords ahead of any compliance risks. This is becoming more important than ever.
Tenants will have the right to request a pet, but landlords can still refuse on reasonable grounds. If you own a leasehold property and your headlease prohibits pets, that restriction remains fully enforceable.
Cheltenham landlords with flats can feel confident that they will not face changes to block rules. Where pets are permitted, expect to see pet deposits replace insurance policies. This will make things clearer and easier to manage.
The legislation will prohibit blanket bans on tenants receiving benefits or those with children. This reflects current case law. However, landlords can still apply the same affordability and suitability checks across all applicants.
We continue to carry out thorough referencing for all tenants, ensuring landlords feel confident in every agreement.
The Renters Reform Bill is designed to modernise the sector and remove poor practices. It is not intended to punish landlords who act professionally.
Landlords who maintain their properties, respond to repairs, and follow proper processes have little to worry about. The key is to stay informed and adapt to the changes gradually and confidently.
We work with landlords across Cheltenham to provide full compliance support, practical advice, and reliable tenant management.
If you have questions about the Renters Reform Bill or want to prepare your portfolio for what is ahead, get in touch with our team today.
Tel: 01242 514285
Email: info@morgan-associates.co.uk
We are here to help you protect your investment and stay ahead of regulation.
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