The Renters’ Rights Bill: What Happens Next for South London Landlords
The Renters’ Rights Bill (formerly the Renters’ Reform Bill) is one of the biggest overhauls to the private rented sector in decades. After months of debate and amendments, it’s now close to receiving Royal Assent, with the first reforms expected to take effect in early 2026.
For South London landlords, now is the time to start preparing and reduce any risk posed by these significant reforms.
Where does the Renters’ Rights Bill stand right now?
The Renters’ Rights Bill is awaiting final approval before becoming law. The National Residential Landlords Association has confirmed that Royal Assent is expected shortly.
Although the exact start date has yet to be confirmed, most experts, including The Independent Landlord, anticipate a phased rollout beginning in spring 2026, giving landlords a valuable window of time to get organised.
One of the most significant changes will be the launch of a national Property Portal. This new digital platform will serve as a central register for landlords and a hub for compliance information.
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities says the portal will support responsible landlords by making compliance simpler and more transparent. It will also help tenants and local authorities identify well-managed homes and tackle poor practice more effectively.
Every landlord will need to register their properties and upload key documentation such as gas safety certificates, deposit protection details, and HMO licences.
You can start preparing by checking that your certificates and licences are up to date, storing digital copies securely, and ensuring your letting agent holds accurate versions of every document.
Urban Village Homes’ lettings team is already helping South London landlords get ready by setting up secure online folders and reviewing compliance records. So, when registration begins, you’ll already be prepared to move quickly and confidently.
The end of Section 21 “no-fault” evictions and the shift to rolling, periodic tenancies mean most existing fixed-term agreements will need to be updated before the new rules come into effect.
Guidance from Simply Business suggests that reviewing tenancy documents early is one of the easiest ways to stay ahead of reform.
When updating your contracts, check that they:
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Remove references to Section 21 notices and fixed-term end dates.
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Include clear rent review processes that follow the new once-per-year limit.
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Reflect fair-use and pet clauses in line with the upcoming tenant rights.
Making these changes now prevents a last-minute rush and minimises the risk of disruption. Urban Village Homes can review your current agreements and highlight where updates will be required ahead of 2026.