Summary: The Renters’ Rights Bill has passed Parliament and awaits Royal Assent, signalling forthcoming changes for landlords and tenants. Meanwhile, government decisions on court system reviews, new damp and mould guidance for social landlords, increased Right to Rent fines, and additional licensing schemes in Croydon highlight ongoing regulatory developments affecting the rental sector.

Renters’ Rights Bill Advances Towards Royal Assent

The Renters’ Rights Bill was successfully voted through Parliament on Wednesday and now awaits Royal Assent, expected within the coming weeks. While the exact date for the Bill to come into force remains uncertain, January or April have been suggested as possible start points. Landlords and agents should prepare for the changes this legislation will bring, although official implementation details are yet to be confirmed.

Government Rejects Full Review of Court System Amid Delays

Calls for a comprehensive review of the county court system have been declined by the government, which stated such a review is “not needed.” Despite acknowledging existing issues, the government emphasised its commitment to avoiding delays and is focusing on “practical steps” to improve court efficiency.

Currently, landlords face an average wait of nearly eight months to obtain possession orders, a delay the Commons Justice Committee describes as “unacceptable.” The government anticipates that the new digital possession service will help reduce these wait times and deliver “swifter justice.”

Timothy Douglas, Head of Policy and Campaigns at Propertymark, commented:

“As a matter of urgency, the UK government must put in place procedures to improve and speed up the court procedure for possession claims, and this should be achieved with consultation with service users such as private landlords, letting agents, and tenants.”

New Damp and Mould Guidance for Social Landlords Ahead of Awaab’s Law

In anticipation of Awaab’s Law, which comes into force on Wednesday 27 October, the government has issued new guidance for social landlords addressing damp and mould issues. This guidance prohibits social landlords from attributing damp and mould problems to tenants’ lifestyle habits such as washing, cooking, bathing, or drying laundry.

Social landlords must now investigate any reported hazards within 10 working days. If repairs cannot be completed within five working days for significant hazards, or within 24 hours for emergencies, landlords are required to provide suitable alternative accommodation at their own expense until the issue is resolved.

The guidance also outlines procedures for situations where landlords cannot gain access, for example, if tenants are at work, vulnerable, or uncontactable. This represents a significant shift in responsibilities for social landlords and underscores the importance of prompt and effective responses to damp and mould complaints.

Full government guidance is available here.

Right to Rent Fines Surge Following Increased Enforcement

The Home Office has reported a sharp rise in fines related to the Right to Rent scheme, with penalties exceeding £4.2 million since last year—up from £596,400 previously. The number of civil penalties has increased from 235 to 375 over the same period.

Tim Barnett, CEO of Credas Technologies, an identity verification provider, remarked:

“These figures show the financial consequences of getting it wrong are now far greater.”

Landlords and agents should be aware of the heightened risk of substantial fines if tenant identity checks are not conducted correctly, emphasising the need for rigorous compliance with Right to Rent requirements.

Croydon Council Proposes Two New Licensing Schemes

Croydon Council has announced plans to introduce two new licensing schemes affecting private landlords. The first is a selective licensing scheme covering 14 wards, requiring all private landlords in those areas to obtain a licence. The second is an additional licensing scheme targeting Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs). A formal public consultation is underway and will run until 12 January 2026.

Jason Perry, leader of Croydon Council, stated:

“Licensing can also be beneficial for landlords who will get support from the Council to deal with difficult situations and take action against bad tenants.”

Landlords in Croydon should engage with the consultation and prepare for the potential impact these schemes may have on their properties and management responsibilities.

More details can be found here.

Additional Housing News Highlights

• Contested licensing scheme is now operational
• Universal Credit arrears: landlord experiences amid Local Housing Allowance challenges
• Council compulsory purchase of a dilapidated home
• Labour government disputes over EPC C upgrade costs
• Could Zurich’s housing cooperatives offer solutions to Europe’s housing crisis?

For ongoing updates, landlords and agents can also refer to the Quick News Updates on Landlord Law.

Landlord Law Newsround will return next week with further developments.