Renters’ Rights Act 2025

Statutes amended

33 affected Acts; 131 amendments in total. Each block shows the target Act's text with this Act's changes applied.

Housing Act 1988

32 amendments · open Act

3 insertions, 2 deletions
Amends Housing Act 1988
1 The 1988 Act is amended as follows.

2 In section 24 (assured agricultural occupancies), after subsection (1) insert—

1A Subsection (1) has effect subject to section 24A(1) (opting out).

3 In subsection (2)(a) of that section omit ~~“which is not an assured shorthold tenancy”~~.

4 In subsection (3) of that section, for ~~“shall be treated as if it were such a tenancy”~~ substitute “, and every opted-out tenancy, is to be treated as if it were an assured tenancy”.

5 After that section insert—

24A Opting out

1 A tenancy that would otherwise be an assured agricultural occupancy for the purposes of this Part is not such an occupancy for those purposes if—
a before the tenancy is entered into, an opt-out notice (see subsection (2)) is served by the person who is to be the landlord on the person who is to be the tenant, and

b the tenancy is not the continuation of an existing occupancy (see subsection (3)).

2 An opt-out notice is a notice, in such form as may be prescribed, stating that the tenancy is not to be an assured agricultural occupancy.

3 A tenancy is the continuation of an existing occupancy if—
a the person to whom the tenancy is granted or, as the case may be, at least one of the persons to whom it is granted was, immediately before it was granted, a tenant under an assured agricultural occupancy, and

b the person by whom it is granted or, as the case may be, at least one of the persons by whom it is granted was, immediately before it was granted, a landlord under the assured agricultural occupancy referred to in paragraph (a).

4 In this Chapter “opted-out tenancy” means a tenancy that, but for this section, would be an assured agricultural occupancy.
Amends Housing Act 1988
The 1988 Act is amended as follows.
Section 32 insertions, 2 deletions
Amends Housing Act 1988 — see section 3
In section 17 (provision supplementary to section 16 of that Act) as it applies otherwise than to Scotland—
a omit subsection (1);

b in subsection (2)—
i in paragraph (a) omit ~~“which is a periodic tenancy”~~;

ii for paragraph (b) and the words after it substitute—

b immediately before the time when the tenancy would otherwise have come to an end as mentioned in paragraph (a)—
i the tenant under the terms of the tenancy has the exclusive occupation of some accommodation (in this section referred to as “the separate accommodation”), and has the use of other accommodation in common with another person or other persons, not being or including the landlord, but

ii by reason only of such circumstances as are mentioned in section 16(4), subsection (1) of section 3 of the Housing Act 1988 (provisions where tenant shares accommodation with persons other than landlord) does not have effect with respect to the separate accommodation,
during the remainder of the period of protection, section 3 of the Housing Act 1988 applies in relation to the separate accommodation as if the circumstances referred to in sub-paragraph (ii) did not exist and, accordingly, as if the tenancy had become an assured tenancy immediately before it would otherwise have come to an end.

;

c in subsection (3) for ~~“Neither subsection (1) nor subsection (2) above applies”~~ substitute “Subsection (2) does not apply”.
Section 4A1 insertion
4A Assured tenancies to be periodic with rent period not exceeding a month
1 Terms of an assured tenancy are of no effect so far as they provide—
a for a tenancy to be a fixed term tenancy, or
b for periods of the tenancy to be different from the periods for which rent is payable (“rent periods”).
2 Where terms of an assured tenancy are of no effect by virtue of subsection (1)(a) or (b), the tenancy has effect as a periodic tenancy under which the periods of the tenancy are the same as the rent periods.
3 Terms of an assured tenancy which provide for the rent periods are of no effect unless each rent period is— (a) a period of 28 days or shorter, or (b) a monthly rent period.
subsections (4) – (8) inserted (see source act for full text)
Section 4A1 insertion
Amends Housing Act 1988 — see section 4A
In the 1988 Act, after section 4A (inserted by section 1 of this Act) insert—
4B Assured tenancy: prohibition of rent in advance (except initial rent)

1 Terms of an assured tenancy which provide for when rent is due are of no effect so far as they provide for rent to be due in advance.

2 But subsection (1) does not apply—
a to a tenancy entered into before the commencement date (which has the same meaning as in section 146(3) of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025),

b to an excepted tenancy, or

c to terms of any other assured tenancy so far as they provide for initial rent to be due during the permitted pre-tenancy period.

3 Where terms of an assured tenancy providing for when the rent for a rent period is due are of no effect by virtue of this section, the tenancy has effect as if it provided for the rent for that rent period to be due on the substitute rent day for that rent period.

4 In a case where the terms of the tenancy (after taking account of section 4A) are such that—
a one or more of the periods of the tenancy will be compliant rent periods, and

b the compliant rent periods have a regular pattern,
the regular rent day which falls during a rent period is the “substitute rent day” for the rent period.

5 In any other case, the first day of a rent period is the “substitute rent day” for the rent period.

6 The compliant rent periods of a tenancy “have a regular pattern” if those periods meet the following two conditions—
a all of the compliant rent periods will be the same length (and, for this purpose, all periods of one month are the same length);

b the rent for all of the compliant periods will be due—
i on the same day during each of the periods (such as the same day of the week in a weekly period or the same date in the month in a monthly period), or

ii on the same description of day during each of the periods (such as the last day, or first weekday, of a period);
and that day, or day of that description, is the “regular rent day”.

7 The condition in subsection (6)(a) is met even if the first period of the tenancy is of a different length from all the other compliant periods; and, in such a case, the condition in subsection (6)(b) is met even if the rent for the first period of the tenancy is due on a different day, or description of day, from all the other compliant periods.

8 For provision enabling a holding deposit to be used to pay initial rent due during the permitted pre-tenancy period, see Schedule 2 to the Tenant Fees Act 2019.

9 The Secretary of State may, by regulations, amend this section for the purpose of making provision about the descriptions of rent due in advance to which subsection (1) does not apply.

10 Regulations under subsection (9)—
a may make different provision for different purposes;

b are to be made by statutory instrument.

11 A statutory instrument containing regulations under subsection (9) may not be made unless a draft of the instrument has been laid before and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament.

12 In this paragraph—

“compliant rent period”: a rent period is a compliant rent period if the rent for the period is due during the period — and, in determining this, the effect of this section on when rent is due must be disregarded;

“due in advance”, in relation to rent, means due before the rent period for which it is payable;

“excepted tenancy” means—

an assured tenancy of social housing (within the meaning of Part 2 of the Housing and Regeneration Act 2008) if the landlord is a private registered provider of social housing;

an assured tenancy granted pursuant to Part 7 of the Housing Act 1996 (homelessness);

“initial rent” means rent that is payable for—

the first rent period, or

any later rent period which ends during the initial 28 day period;

and here “initial 28 day period” means the period of 28 days beginning with the first day of the first rent period;

“permitted pre-tenancy period” means the period that—

begins when the tenancy is entered into, and

ends with the day before the first day of the tenancy;

“regular rent day” has the meaning given in subsection (6)(b);

“rent period” means a period for which rent is payable under the assured tenancy;

“substitute rent day” means the day determined in accordance with subsection (4) or (5).
Section 4A18 insertions
Amends Housing Act 1988 — see section 4A
Part 1 Application of Chapter 1 of Part 1 to existing tenancies

1 This paragraph applies to an existing tenancy which becomes a periodic tenancy on the expiry of a fixed term.

2 Where the fixed term expires immediately before the commencement date, the amendments made by Chapter 1 of Part 1 do not apply in relation to the tenancy until immediately after the first periodic term has begun.

2 Section 1: start of deemed rent period for existing tenancies
In relation to an existing tenancy, section 4A of the 1988 Act (inserted by section 1) is to be read as if—
a in subsection (3), for the words before paragraph (a), there were substituted “Terms of an assured tenancy which provide for the rent periods are of no effect, so far as relating to rent periods beginning on or after the commencement date (within the meaning given by section 146 of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025), unless each rent period beginning on or after that date is—”;

b in subsection (5), for paragraph (a) (and the “and” following it) there were substituted—

a for successive rent periods of one month beginning—
i if the commencement date is a date on which a rent period would, but for subsection (3), have begun, with the commencement date, or

ii otherwise, with the day after the last day of the rent period within which the commencement date falls, and

;

c in subsection (6), for “R is the rent that would have been due for the first rent period of the tenancy under the terms that are of no effect by virtue of subsection (3)” there were substituted “R is the rent due for the rent period before the first rent period provided for by subsection (5)(a)”.
3 Section 2: claim form for section 21 possession proceedings already requested

1 This paragraph applies where—
a before the commencement date—
i a valid notice under section 21 of the 1988 Act has been given, and

ii the claimant in possession proceedings has requested the court to issue the claim form for those proceedings, and

b immediately before the commencement date, possession proceedings have not begun or have not been concluded.

2 The notice under section 21 remains valid until possession proceedings are concluded.

3 The amendments made by Chapter 1 of Part 1 do not apply in relation to the tenancy until the notice under section 21 ceases to be valid by virtue of sub-paragraph (2) (and accordingly the tenancy remains an assured shorthold tenancy until then).
4 In relation to a tenancy to which sub-paragraph (3) applies, section 146(3) (except in its application to this paragraph) has effect as if the following were substituted for the definition of “commencement date”—

“commencement date” means the date on which, by virtue of paragraph 3 of Schedule 6, the amendments made by Chapter 1 of Part 1 apply in relation to a tenancy;

.
5 In this paragraph “possession proceedings” means proceedings for an order for possession under section 21 of the 1988 Act in reliance on a valid notice given under that section.
4 Section 2: claim form for section 21 possession proceedings not already requested

1 This paragraph applies where, before the commencement date—
a a valid notice under section 21 of the 1988 Act has been given, and

b the claimant in possession proceedings has not requested the court to issue the claim form for those proceedings.

2 Section 21 of the 1988 Act has effect as if the following were substituted for subsections (4D) and (4E)—

4D Subject to subsection (4E), proceedings for an order for possession under this section in relation to a dwelling-house in England may not be begun if the claimant in the proceedings requests the court to issue the claim for the proceedings after the end of the applicable period.

4DA For that purpose the “applicable period” is—
a the period of six months beginning with the date on which the notice was given under subsection (1) or (4), or

b the period of three months beginning with the commencement date, if this three month period ends before the six month period mentioned in paragraph (a).

4E Where—
a a notice under subsection (4) has been given in relation to a dwelling-house in England, and

b paragraph (b) of that subsection requires the date specified in the notice to be more than two months after the date the notice was given,
proceedings for an order for possession under this section may not be begun if the claimant in the proceedings requests the court to issue the claim for the proceedings after the end of the applicable period.

4EA For that purpose the “applicable period” is—
a the period of four months beginning with the date specified in the notice, or

b the period of three months beginning with the commencement date, if this three month period ends before the four month period mentioned in paragraph (a).

4EB In subsections (4DA) and (4EA) “commencement date” has the meaning given by section 146 of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025.

3 The notice under section 21 remains valid—
a until the end of the applicable period, except where the claimant has requested the court to issue the claim form for possession proceedings before the end of that period;

b until possession proceedings are concluded, if the claimant has requested the court to issue the claim form for those proceedings before the end of the applicable period.

4 The amendments made by Chapter 1 of Part 1 do not apply in relation to the tenancy until the notice under section 21 ceases to be valid by virtue of sub-paragraph (3) (and accordingly the tenancy remains an assured shorthold tenancy until then).
5 In relation to a tenancy to which sub-paragraph (4) applies, section 146(3) (except in its application to this paragraph) has effect as if the following were substituted for the definition of “commencement date”—

“commencement date” means the date on which, by virtue of paragraph 4 of Schedule 6, the amendments made by Chapter 1 of Part 1 apply in relation to a tenancy;

.
6 In this paragraph—

“applicable period”, in relation to possession proceedings, has the same meaning that it has in relation to those proceedings in section 21 of the 1988 Act as modified by sub-paragraph (2);

“possession proceedings” means proceedings for an order for possession under section 21 of the 1988 Act in reliance on a valid notice given under that section.
5 Section 3(2)(g): saving of section 7(7) in relation to tenancies where fixed term ends before commencement date
Section 7 (7) of the 1988 Act continues to apply after the commencement date, despite section 3(2)(g), in relation to an existing tenancy that was a fixed term tenancy before the commencement date.
6 Section 6: no effect on rent increases before commencement date
The amendments made by section 6 do not affect the validity of any increase in rent under an existing tenancy, before the commencement date, in reliance on a provision—
a which was at the time binding on the tenant, and

b under which the rent for a particular period of the tenancy would or might be greater than the rent for an earlier period.

7 Sections 12, 13 and 15: provision of information in writing

1 Where an existing tenancy is wholly or partly in writing—
a section 16D and 16E (1)(f) of the 1988 Act (inserted by sections 12 and 13) do not apply;

b section 16I(1) of that Act (inserted by section 15) is to be read as if for “contravened section 16D” there were substituted “contravened paragraph 7(2) of Schedule 6 to the Renters’ Rights Act 2025”.

2 The landlord under any existing tenancy that is wholly or partly in writing—
a must give the tenant any information in writing about the changes made by this Act which is required to be given by regulations made by the Secretary of State; and

b must do so before the end of the period of one month beginning with the commencement date.

3 Where a landlord referred to in sub-paragraph (2) has entered into a contract with a person which requires that person to ensure compliance with that sub-paragraph (whether or not it is referred to individually), sub-paragraph (2) also applies to that person, as it applies to the landlord.

4 Regulations under sub-paragraph (2) may—
a provide for the information to be given in the form of a document produced by the Secretary of State;

b provide that the document to be given is the version that has effect at the time the requirement applies.

5 Where an existing tenancy is wholly oral, section 16D (4) of the 1988 Act (inserted by section 12) is to be read as if, for “before the tenancy is entered into” there were substituted “before the end of the period of one month beginning with the commencement date (within the meaning given by section 146 of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025)”.

6 Regulations under sub-paragraph (2)—
a may make different provision for different purposes;

b are to be made by statutory instrument.

7 A statutory instrument containing regulations under sub-paragraph (2) is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

8 Section 15: no liability in respect of conduct before commencement date
Conduct engaged in, in relation to an existing tenancy, before the commencement date—
a does not give rise to liability to a financial penalty under section 16I or 16K of the 1988 Act (inserted by section 13), and

b does not constitute an offence under section 16J (as so inserted).

9 Section 20: no effect on notice to quit given before commencement date
The amendment made by section 20 does not affect the validity of any notice given under section 5 of the Protection from Eviction Act 1977 in relation to an existing tenancy before the commencement date.
10 Section 24: existing opt-out notices for assured agricultural occupancies
Where an existing tenancy would be an assured agricultural occupancy but for a notice served under paragraph 9 (2) of Schedule 2A to the 1988 Act, the tenancy is to be treated for the purposes of Chapter 3 of Part 1 of the 1988 Act as amended by this Act, on and after the commencement date, as a tenancy in relation to which an opt-out notice has been served under section 24A of the 1988 Act (inserted by section 24 of this Act).
11 Section 26: tenancy deposits
The amendments made by section 26 do not apply in relation to an existing tenancy that, immediately before the commencement date, was an assured tenancy other than an assured shorthold tenancy.
12 Section 27: tenant fees
The amendments made by section 27 do not apply in relation to an existing tenancy that, immediately before the commencement date, was an assured tenancy other than an assured shorthold tenancy.
13 Schedule 1: student accommodation ground
1 In relation to an existing tenancy, ground 4A in Schedule 2 to the 1988 Act has effect as if—
a in the first paragraph, the following were substituted for paragraphs (b) and (c)—

b either or both of the following applies—
i the tenant met the student test when the tenancy was entered into;

ii the tenant meets the student test when the written statement referred to in paragraph (c) is given,

c the landlord or, in the case of joint landlords, at least one of them, gives the tenant, before the end of the period of one month beginning with the commencement date (within the meaning given by section 146 of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025), a written statement of the landlord’s wish to be able to recover possession on the basis that—
i the condition in paragraph (b) is met, and

ii the landlord intends, on the next occasion on which the dwelling-house is let, to let it to a tenant who meets the student test when that new tenancy is entered into,

;

b paragraph (d) were omitted;

c the following were substituted for the second and third paragraphs—

For the purposes of the conditions in paragraphs (b), (c) and (f), a tenant meets, or met, the student test at a particular time if—

the tenant is, or was, a full-time student at that time, or

at that time, the landlord reasonably believes, or believed, that the tenant would become a full-time student during the tenancy.

But, in a case where two or more persons are or would be, or were, the tenant, the tenant does not, or did not, meet the student test unless all of those persons meet, or met, that test.
2 In relation to an existing tenancy which is a qualifying student tenancy, ground 4A in Schedule 2 to the 1988 Act has effect—
a subject to the modifications in sub-paragraph (1) of this paragraph, and

b additionally as if, in the first paragraph of ground 4A, paragraphs (a) and (e) were omitted.

3 For the purposes of this paragraph, an existing tenancy is a “qualifying student tenancy” if any of the following is a member of a specified housing management code of practice—
a the landlord;

b a person appointed to act on the landlord’s behalf in respect of the tenancy;

c a person appointed to discharge management functions in respect of the building which comprises the dwelling-house or in which the dwelling-house is situated.
4 In sub-paragraph (3)—

“housing management code of practice” means a code of practice approved by the Secretary of State under section 233 of the Housing Act 2004 (codes relating to the management of HMOs or excepted accommodation);

“management functions” in respect of a building includes functions relating to—

the provision of services, or

the repair, maintenance, improvement or insurance of the building;

“specified” means specified in regulations made by the Secretary of State.
14 Schedule 1: stepping stone accommodation ground
In relation to an existing tenancy, paragraph (b) in Ground 5H in Schedule 2 to the 1988 Act is to be read as if after “agreement” there were inserted “or a written statement given to the tenant before the commencement date (within the meaning given by section 146 of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025)”.
15 Schedule 1: redevelopment ground
In relation to an existing tenancy, paragraph (c) in case C where the “additional RSL condition” is met in Ground 6 in Schedule 2 to the 1988 Act is to be read as if for “before the tenancy was entered into” there were substituted “before the end of the period of one month beginning with the commencement date (within the meaning given by section 146 of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025)”.
16 Claim form for section 8 possession proceedings already requested

1 This paragraph applies where—
a before the commencement date—
i a valid notice under section 8 of the 1988 Act has been given, and

ii the claimant in possession proceedings has requested the court to issue the claim form for those proceedings, and

b immediately before the commencement date, possession proceedings have not begun or have not been concluded.

2 The notice under section 8 remains valid until possession proceedings are concluded.

3 The amendments made by Chapter 1 of Part 1 do not apply in relation to the tenancy until the notice under section 8 ceases to be valid by virtue of sub-paragraph (2) (and accordingly the tenancy remains an assured shorthold tenancy until then).
4 In relation to a tenancy to which sub-paragraph (3) applies, section 146(3) (except in its application to this paragraph) has effect as if the following were substituted for the definition of “commencement date”—

“commencement date” means the date on which, by virtue of paragraph 16 of Schedule 6, the amendments made by Chapter 1 of Part 1 apply in relation to a tenancy;

.
5 In this paragraph “possession proceedings” means proceedings for an order for possession under section 8 of the 1988 Act in reliance on a valid notice given under that section.
17 Claim form for section 8 possession proceedings not already requested

1 This paragraph applies where, before the commencement date—
a a valid notice under section 8 of the 1988 Act has been given, and

b the claimant in possession proceedings has not requested the court to issue the claim form for those proceedings.

2 The notice under section 8 remains valid—
a until the end of the applicable period, except where the claimant has requested the court to issue the claim form for possession proceedings before the end of that period;

b until possession proceedings are concluded, if the claimant has requested the court to issue the claim form for those proceedings before the end of the applicable period.

3 The amendments made by Chapter 1 of Part 1 do not apply in relation to the tenancy until the notice under section 8 ceases to be valid by virtue of sub-paragraph (2) (and accordingly the tenancy remains an assured shorthold tenancy until then).
4 In relation to a tenancy to which sub-paragraph (3) applies, section 146(3) (except in its application to this paragraph) has effect as if the following were substituted for the definition of “commencement date”—

“commencement date” means the date on which, by virtue of paragraph 17 of Schedule 6, the amendments made by Chapter 1 of Part 1 apply in relation to a tenancy;

.
5 In this paragraph—

“applicable period”, in relation to possession proceedings—

the period of twelve months included in the notice under section 8 of the 1988 Act in accordance with subsection (3)(c) of that section, or

the period of three months beginning with the commencement date, if this three month period ends before the twelve month period mentioned in paragraph (a);

“possession proceedings” means proceedings for an order for possession under section 8 of the 1988 Act in reliance on a valid notice given under that section.
18 Interpretation
In this Schedule “commencement date” and “existing tenancy” have the meanings given by section 146.
Section 51 insertion, 2 deletions
Amends Housing Act 1988 — see section 5
In section 5 (security of tenure)—
a in subsection (1)—
i in paragraph (a)(i) omit ~~“or 21”~~;

ii omit paragraphs (b) and (c) (but not the “or” after them);

iii in the words after paragraph (d), for ~~“a periodic”~~ substitute “an”;

b omit subsections (2) to (7).
Section 6
Amends Housing Act 1988 — see section 6
Omit section 6.
Section 6A2 deletions
6A Demotion because of anti-social behaviour
whole section omitted
Chapter 2 of Part 1 — Assured shorthold tenancies (sections 19A onwards)
whole Chapter omitted

Section 712 insertions, 7 deletions

Amends Housing Act 1988 — see section 7

1 Schedule 1 contains amendments of Schedule 2 to the 1988 Act (grounds for possession of dwelling-houses let on assured tenancies).

2 In section 7 of the 1988 Act (orders for possession)—

a in subsection (3), for ~~“subsections (5A) and (6)”~~ substitute “the following provisions of this section”;

b in subsection (4) omit ~~“, subject to subsections (5A) and (6) below,”~~;

c in subsection (5) omit the words from “and Part IV” to the end”;

d after subsection (5) insert—

5ZA The court may not make an order for possession of a dwelling-house on any of Grounds 1 to 5H or Ground 6A where—

a a smallholding was previously let to the tenant under a tenancy to which the Agricultural Holdings Act 1986 applies (“the agricultural tenancy”),

b the agricultural tenancy came to an end as a result of the operation of a notice to quit given in case A in Part 1 of Schedule 3 to that Act (“case A”),

c the assured tenancy was granted immediately after the agricultural tenancy came to an end, and

d the dwelling-house is let under the assured tenancy—

i by the person who was the landlord under the agricultural tenancy (“the former agricultural landlord”), or

ii by another person pursuant to a contract or other agreement entered into with the former agricultural landlord under which—

A the dwelling-house is to be let as suitable alternative accommodation for the purposes of paragraph (b) of case A, and

B this subsection is to apply.

5ZB The court may not make an order for possession of a dwelling-house let on an assured tenancy on any of Grounds 1 to 5H or Ground 6A where, on the basis of the proposed let of the dwelling-house on that tenancy, the dwelling-house was deemed to be suitable alternative accommodation under paragraph 1(c) of Part 4 of Schedule 2 to the Housing Act 1985 for the purposes of section 84(2)(b) and (c) of that Act.

;

e in subsection (5A)—

i in paragraph (a), for ~~“, 2, 5”~~ substitute “to 5H, 6A, 6B”

ii omit paragraph (b) (but not the “and” at the end).

f after subsection (5A) insert—

5B The court may not make an order for possession of a dwelling-house let on an assured tenancy granted in accordance with section 554(3)(c) (before its repeal) or (ca) of the Housing Act 1985 on any of Grounds 1 to 5H or Ground 6A.

5C In relation to the making of an order for possession of a dwelling-house let on an assured periodic tenancy arising under Schedule 10 to the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, Ground 6 is to apply as if—

a in paragraph (b), the words “, but only in a case where section 7(5ZA) applies in relation to the tenancy” were omitted;

b in the general redevelopment conditions, paragraph (f) was omitted;

c in the landlord’s acquisition condition, in paragraph (a), the reference to the grant of the tenancy is a reference to the grant of the long residential tenancy which existed immediately before the assured periodic tenancy arose.

5D If the only grounds for possession which the court is satisfied are established are either or both of Grounds 7A and 14 in Schedule 2, the court may not make an order for possession to take effect within—

a the period of 14 days beginning with the date of service of the notice under section 8; or

b where the court has exercised the power conferred by section 8(1)(b), the period of 14 days beginning—

i if a purported notice of possession (within the meaning given by section 16M) was served on the tenant and the court considers it just and equitable, with the date on which the notice was served;

ii otherwise, with the date on which the proceedings for possession began.

5E In subsection (5C), a reference to a “long residential tenancy” is a reference to a tenancy to which Schedule 10 to the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 applies.

g omit subsections (6), (6A), (6B) and (7).

3 In section 8 of the 1988 Act (notice of proceedings for possession)—

a in subsection (1)(a) for ~~“(4B)”~~ substitute “(4AA)”;

b in subsection (3)(b) for ~~“(3A) to (4B)”~~ substitute “(4) to (4AA)”;

c omit subsection (3A);

d in subsection (4)—

i for ~~“Ground 14”~~ substitute “either or both of Grounds 7A and 14”;

ii after “whether” insert “with or”;

iii omit ~~“or with any ground other than Ground 7A”~~;

e for subsections (4A) and (4B) substitute—

4AA If a notice under this section does not specify Ground 7A or 14 in Schedule 2, the date specified in the notice as mentioned in subsection (3)(b) must not be before the end of the longest period shown in the following table for any ground specified in the notice.

Ground specified in notice	Period
1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2ZA, 2ZB, 2ZC, 2ZD, 4A, 6, 6A, 6B	four months beginning with the date of service of the notice
5, 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D, 5H, 7, 9	two months beginning with the date of service of the notice
5E, 5F, 5G, 8, 10, 11, 18	four weeks beginning with the date of service of the notice
4, 7B, 12, 13, 14ZA, 14A, 15, 17	two weeks beginning with the date of service of the notice

;

f after subsection (5) insert—

5A A notice given by an intermediate landlord under Ground 2ZA is to be treated, when the superior tenancy ends, as a notice given by the person who became the landlord by virtue of section 18 under Ground 2ZC.

5B A notice given by an intermediate landlord under Ground 2ZB is to be treated, when the superior tenancy ends, as a notice given by the person who became the landlord by virtue of section 18 under Ground 2ZD.

;

g omit subsection (6).

4 After section 8 of the 1988 Act insert—

8ZA Disapplication of conditions where notice dispensed with

1 This section applies where the court exercises the power conferred by section 8(1)(b) in proceedings relating to Ground 4A, 5G or 6 in Schedule 2.

2 The court may, if it considers it just and equitable to do so—

a where the proceedings relate to Ground 4A, disapply paragraph (d) of the ground;

b where the proceedings relate to Ground 5G, disapply paragraph (b) of the ground;

c where the proceedings relate to Ground 6, disapply paragraph (aa)(ii)(B) of the ground.

3 References in this section to grounds in Schedule 2 are to those grounds read in accordance with paragraph 12(2) of that Schedule.

5 After section 11 of the 1988 Act insert—

11A Possession on ground 6B: compensation of tenant

1 This section applies where a court makes an order for possession of a dwelling-house let on an assured tenancy on Ground 6B in Schedule 2 to this Act (whether or not the order is also made on any other ground).

2 The court may order the landlord to pay to the tenant such sum as appears sufficient as compensation for damage or loss sustained by that tenant as a result of the order for possession.

3 In deciding whether to make an order under this section, and what compensation to order, the court must (in particular) take into account the circumstances which led to Ground 6B being available as a ground for making an order for possession (including any conduct by the tenant which caused or contributed to Ground 6B being available).

Section 72 insertions
Amends Housing Act 1988 — see section 7
1 In section 7 of the 1988 Act (orders for possession)—
a in subsection (4), after “then” insert “, subject to subsection (5ZC),”;

b after subsection (5ZB) (inserted by section 3(2)(d) of this Act) insert—

5ZC The court may not make an order for possession of a dwelling-house while the landlord (or, in the case of joint landlords, any of the joint landlords) is in breach of section 82(3)(a) of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 in relation to the dwelling-house, unless the ground for possession is Ground 7A in Part 1 of Schedule 2 to this Act or Ground 14 in Part 2 of that Schedule.

2 The Secretary of State may by regulations amend section 7 of the 1988 Act for the purpose of changing—
a the person or persons by whom, or

b the circumstances in which,
a breach of section 82(3)(a) of this Act prevents the making of an order for possession.
Section 81 insertion
Amends Housing Act 1988 — see section 8
In section 8 of the 1988 Act, after subsection (6) insert—

7 Regulations made under section 45(1) by virtue of subsection (3) may—
a provide for the form to be published by the Secretary of State;

b provide that the form to be used is the version that has effect at the time the requirement applies.
Section 9A2 insertions
Amends Housing Act 1988 — see section 9A
In the 1988 Act, in section 9A—
a in subsection (2), after paragraph (c) insert—

d whether the person against whom the order is sought has co-operated with any attempt by the landlord to encourage the conduct to cease.

;

b after subsection (2) insert—

3 Where the person against whom the order is sought is a tenant occupying an HMO, in considering effects mentioned in subsection (2)(a) the court must have particular regard to the effect on other occupiers who share with that person accommodation or facilities within the HMO.

4 For the purposes of subsection (3) occupiers of an HMO share accommodation or facilities if they are each entitled to use that accommodation or those facilities under the terms of a tenancy or licence to occupy.

5 In subsection (3) “HMO” has the same meaning as in Part 2 of the Housing Act 2004 (see section 77 of that Act).
Section 112 changes, 2 insertions
11 Payment of removal expenses by social landlords.
A1 This section applies to a dwelling-house let on an assured tenancy if— (a) the landlord is a relevant social landlord, and (b) the dwelling-house is social housing.
1 Where a court makes an order for possession of ~~a dwelling-house let on an assured tenancy on Ground 6 or Ground 9~~the dwelling-house on Ground 6, 6A or 9 in Schedule 2 to this Act, the landlord shall pay to the tenant a sum equal to the reasonable expenses likely to be incurred by the tenant in removing from the dwelling-house.
1A If the court makes the order for possession on Ground 6 in circumstances where (a) the additional RSL condition is met, and (b) that condition is met in case B (alternative accommodation provided temporarily until other alternative accommodation becomes available), the landlord must also pay to the tenant a sum equal to the reasonable expenses likely to be incurred by the tenant in removing from the alternative accommodation provided temporarily.
subsections (2) – (3) unchanged
Section 1311 insertions, 4 deletions
Amends Housing Act 1988 — see section 13
1 Section 13 of the 1988 Act (increases of rent) is amended in accordance with subsections (2) to (8).

2 In the heading for ~~“periodic tenancies”~~ substitute “tenancies other than relevant low-cost tenancies”.

3 For subsection (1) substitute—

1 This section applies to any assured tenancy other than a relevant low-cost tenancy.

4 In subsection (2)—
a in paragraph (a), for ~~“the minimum period”~~ substitute “two months”;

b in paragraph (b)—
i for the words before sub-paragraph (i) substitute “either”;

ii after sub-paragraph (i) insert “or”;

c in paragraph (c)—
i in the words before sub-paragraph (i), after “below” insert “, either”;

ii after sub-paragraph (i) insert “or”.

5 Omit subsection (3).

6 In subsection (4)—
a in paragraph (a), for ~~“by an application in the prescribed form refers the notice to the appropriate tribunal”~~ substitute “applies to the appropriate tribunal under section 14(A3)”;

b in paragraph (b) for ~~“variation of the rent which is different from”~~ substitute “new rent which is lower than”.

7 After subsection (4) insert—

4A The rent for a period of an assured tenancy to which this section applies may not be greater than the rent for the previous period except by virtue of—
a a notice under this section or an agreement under subsection (4)(b) following such a notice,

b a determination under section 14, or

c an agreement in writing between the landlord and the tenant varying the rent, following a determination by the appropriate tribunal under section 14, where the agreed rent is lower than the rent that would be payable under section 14ZA or 14ZB as a result of the determination;
and any provision relating to an assured tenancy to which this section applies is of no effect so far as it provides that the rent for a particular period of the tenancy must or may be greater than the rent for the previous period otherwise than by virtue of a notice, determination or agreement mentioned in this subsection.

4B Except as provided by subsection (4A), nothing in this section (or in sections 14 to 14ZB) limits any right of the landlord and the tenant under an assured tenancy to which this section applies to vary any term of the tenancy by agreement.

4C In this section “relevant low-cost tenancy” means—
a an assured tenancy of social housing, within the meaning of Part 2 of the Housing and Regeneration Act 2008, where the landlord is a private registered provider of social housing, and

b any other assured tenancy of a description specified in regulations made by the Secretary of State.

4D Regulations under subsection (4C)(b)—
a may make different provision for different purposes;

b are to be made by statutory instrument.

4E A statutory instrument containing regulations under subsection (4C)(b) is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

8 Omit subsection (5).

9 After section 13 of the 1988 Act insert—

13A Increases of rent under relevant low-cost tenancies

1 This section applies to a relevant low-cost tenancy within the meaning given by section 13(4C).

2 For the purpose of securing an increase in the rent under a tenancy to which this section applies, the landlord may serve on the tenant a notice in the prescribed form proposing a new rent to take effect at the beginning of a new period of the tenancy specified in the notice, being a period beginning not earlier than—
a one month after the date of the service of the notice, and

b in the case of an assured agricultural occupancy, the first anniversary of the date on which the first period of the tenancy began, and

c if the rent under the tenancy has previously been increased by virtue of a notice under this subsection or a determination under section 14, either—
i in the case of an assured agricultural occupancy, the first anniversary of the date on which the increased rent took effect, or

ii in any other case, the appropriate date.

3 The appropriate date is—
a in a case to which subsection (4) applies, the date that falls 53 weeks after the date on which the increased rent took effect;

b in any other case, the date that falls 52 weeks after the date on which the increased rent took effect.

4 This subsection applies where—
a the rent under the tenancy has been increased by virtue of a notice under this section or a determination under section 14 on at least one occasion after the coming into force of the Regulatory Reform (Assured Periodic Tenancies) (Rent Increases) Order 2003, and

b the fifty-third week after the date on which the last such increase took effect begins more than six days before the anniversary of the date on which the first such increase took effect.

5 Where a notice is served under subsection (2), a new rent specified in the notice takes effect as mentioned in the notice unless, before the beginning of the new period specified in the notice—
a the tenant applies to the tribunal under section 14(A3), or

b the landlord and the tenant agree on a variation of the rent which is different from that proposed in the notice or agree that the rent should not be varied.

6 Nothing in this section (or in section 14) affects the right of the landlord and the tenant under a relevant low-cost tenancy within the meaning given by section 13(4C) to vary by agreement any term of the tenancy (including a term relating to rent).

13B Challenge to validity of notice to increase rent
Where a tenant under an assured tenancy makes an application to the appropriate tribunal, the tribunal may determine whether a notice served on the tenant under section 13(2) or 13A(2) is valid.
Section 1410 insertions, 4 deletions
Amends Housing Act 1988 — see section 14
1 Section 14 of the 1988 Act (determination of rent by tribunal) is amended in accordance with subsections (2) to (9).

2 In the title, after “of” insert “open-market”.

3 Before subsection (1) insert—

A1 A tenant under an assured tenancy other than a relevant low-cost tenancy may make an application to the appropriate tribunal for the purpose of challenging the rent payable under the tenancy.

A2 No application may be made under subsection (A1) if—
a the rent payable under the tenancy is pursuant to a previous determination under this section, or

b more than six months have elapsed since the beginning of the tenancy.

A3 A tenant under any assured tenancy may make an application to the appropriate tribunal for the purpose of challenging a new rent proposed in a notice under section 13(2) or 13A(2).

4 In subsection (1)—
a for the words from the beginning to “that section,” substitute “Where an application is made under subsection (A1) or (A3),”;

b for paragraphs (a) and (b) substitute—

a which has the same periods as those of the tenancy to which the application relates;

b which begins—
i in the case of an application under subsection (A1), on the date of the application;

ii in the case of an application under subsection (A3), at the beginning of the new period specified in the notice; and

;

c in paragraph (c) for ~~“notice”~~ substitute “application”;

d omit paragraph (d) and the “and” before it.

5 In subsection (3)—
a in the words before paragraph (a)—
i omit the words from “in relation to” to “above,”;

ii for “notice”, in the second place it occurs, substitute “application”;

b in paragraphs (a) and (b) for ~~“service of the notice”~~ substitute “the application”.

6 In subsection (3A)—
a in the words before paragraph (a), for the words from “on” to “served,” substitute “of the application”;

b in paragraph (a), for ~~“that notice was served”~~ substitute “the application was made”.

7 Omit subsections (6) and (7).

8 In subsection (8) omit ~~“of a rent for a dwelling-house”~~.

9 Omit subsection (9).
10 After section 14 of the 1988 Act insert—
14ZA Effect of determination: rent payable

1 This section applies where the appropriate tribunal makes a determination on an application under section 14(A1) in relation to a tenancy.

2 The rent payable under the tenancy following the determination is—
a the new rent amount, and

b the appropriate amount (if any) in respect of rates.

3 The rent payable under the tenancy following the determination takes effect from the date that the appropriate tribunal directs.

4 The new rent amount is—
a the open-market rent, if lower than the tenancy rent, and

b otherwise, the tenancy rent.

5 The date must not be earlier than the date of the application.

6 In this section—

“the appropriate amount in respect of rates” means the amount of rent attributable to any rates borne as mentioned in section 14(5);

“the open-market rent” means the amount of rent determined by the appropriate tribunal on the application, in accordance with section 14(1);

“the tenancy rent” means the rent payable under the tenancy immediately before the determination is made, excluding the appropriate amount in respect of rates (if any).

14ZB Effect of determination: proposed new rent

1 This section applies where the appropriate tribunal makes a determination on an application under section 14(A3) in relation to a tenancy.

2 The rent payable under the tenancy following the determination is—
a the new rent amount, and

b the appropriate amount (if any) in respect of rates.

3 The rent payable under the tenancy following the determination takes effect from—
a the beginning of the new period specified in the notice under section 13(2) or 13A(2), if that date is on or after the date of the determination,

b the beginning of the first new period of the tenancy which begins on or after the date of the determination, if the beginning of the new period specified in the notice under section 13(2) or 13A(2) is before the date of the determination, or

c if it appears to the tribunal that applying paragraph (a) or (b) would cause undue hardship to the tenant, a date that the appropriate tribunal directs.

4 A date specified under subsection (3)(c) must fall before the end of the period of two months beginning with the date of the determination.

5 The new rent amount is—
a the open-market rent, if lower than the proposed rent, and

b otherwise, the proposed rent.

6 The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision so as to substitute, in relation to relevant tenancies, a different date as the effective date.

7 The effective date may not be earlier than the beginning of the new period specified in the notice served on the tenant under section 13(2) or 13A(2).

8 Regulations under subsection (6)—
a may amend this section;

b may make different provision for different purposes;

c may make supplemental, consequential, incidental, transitional, transitory or saving provision;

d are to be made by statutory instrument.

9 A statutory instrument containing regulations under subsection (6) may not be made unless a draft of the instrument has been laid before and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament.

10 In this section—

“the appropriate amount in respect of rates” has the meaning given by section 14ZA(6);

“the effective date” means a date for the time being specified in subsection (3)(b) as the date from which the rent payable takes effect;

“the open-market rent” has the meaning given by section 14ZA(6);

“the proposed rent” means the amount of rent specified in the notice under section 13(2) or 13A(2), excluding the appropriate amount in respect of rates (if any);

“relevant tenancies” means tenancies in relation to which an application under section 14(A3) is made on or after the date on which the regulations under subsection (6) come into force.
11 Omit sections 14A and 14B of the 1988 Act.
Section 162 insertions
Amends Housing Act 1988 — see section 16
1 In the 1988 Act, after section 16 insert—

16A Requesting consent to keep a pet

1 It is an implied term of every assured tenancy to which this section applies that—
a a tenant may keep a pet at the dwelling-house if the tenant asks to do so in accordance with this section and the landlord consents;

b such consent is not to be unreasonably refused by the landlord;

c the landlord is to give or refuse consent in writing on or before the 28th day after the date of the request, except as provided by subsections (2) to (5).

2 Where the landlord reasonably requests further information from the tenant about the pet on or before the 28th day after the date of the tenant’s request—
a if the tenant provides that information, the landlord may delay giving or refusing consent until the 7th day after the date on which the tenant provides any further information that the landlord requests;

b if the tenant does not provide that information, the landlord is not required to give or refuse consent.

3 Where—
a the keeping of the pet at the dwelling-house would require the landlord to obtain the consent of a superior landlord under the terms of a superior tenancy, and

b the landlord seeks the consent of the superior landlord on or before the 28th day after the date of the tenant’s request,
the landlord may delay giving or refusing consent until the 7th day after the date on which the landlord receives consent or refusal from the superior landlord.

4 Where the landlord and the tenant agree that the landlord may delay giving or refusing consent, the landlord may delay until whatever date is agreed between the landlord and the tenant.

5 Where more than one of subsections (2) to (4) apply, the landlord may delay until the latest date to which the landlord may delay giving or refusing consent under any of the subsections.

6 This section applies to every assured tenancy other than a tenancy of social housing, within the meaning of Part 2 of the Housing and Regeneration Act 2008.

16B Requests for consent to keep a pet: further provision

1 For the purposes of section 16A, a tenant keeps a pet at a dwelling-house if the tenant permits the pet to live at the dwelling-house (whether or not the tenant is the owner of the pet).

2 Section 16A does not limit the terms that may be agreed in relation to the presence at the dwelling-house of pets which do not live there.

3 The tenant’s request under section 16A must—
a be in writing;

b include a description of the pet for which consent is sought.

4 The circumstances in which it is reasonable for a landlord to refuse consent include those in which—
a the pet being kept at the dwelling-house would cause the landlord to be in breach of an agreement with a superior landlord;

b an agreement between the landlord and a superior landlord prohibits the keeping of a pet at the dwelling-house without consent of the superior landlord, and the landlord has taken reasonable steps to obtain that consent but the superior landlord has not given it.

5 In proceedings in which a tenant alleges that the landlord has breached the implied term created by section 16A, the court may order specific performance of the obligation.
2 In section 45 (1) of the 1988 Act, in the appropriate place insert—
“pet” means an animal kept by a person mainly for—

personal interest,

companionship,

ornamental purposes, or

any combination of paragraphs (a) to (c);
Section 162 insertions, 3 deletions
Amends Housing Act 1988 — see section 16
In section 16 (protection of tenure of certain rented premises by extension of Housing Act 1988) as it applies otherwise than to Scotland—
a omit subsection (1);

b in subsection (2)(a) omit ~~“which is a periodic tenancy”~~;

c in subsection (3), for ~~“Neither subsection (1) nor subsection (2) above applies”~~ substitute “Subsection (2) does not apply”;

d in subsection (4), for ~~“subsections (1) and”~~ substitute “subsection”.
Section 16L1 insertion
Amends Housing Act 1988 — see section 16L
In the 1988 Act, after Schedule 2 insert—

Schedule 2ZA

Financial penalties under sections 16I and 16K

section 16L

Notice of intent
1 Before imposing a financial penalty on a person under section 16I or 16K a local housing authority must give the person notice of its proposal to do so (a “notice of intent”).
2
1 The notice of intent must be given before the end of the period of 6 months beginning with the first day on which the authority has sufficient evidence of the conduct to which the financial penalty relates.

2 But if the person is continuing to engage in the conduct on that day, and the conduct continues beyond the end of that day, the notice of intent may be given—
a at any time when the conduct is continuing, or

b within the period of 6 months beginning with the last day on which the conduct occurs.

3 The notice of intent must set out—
a the date on which the notice of intent is given,

b the amount of the proposed financial penalty,

c the reasons for proposing to impose the financial penalty, and

d information about the right to make representations under paragraph 4.

4 Right to make representations

1 A person who is given a notice of intent may make written representations to the local housing authority about the proposal to impose a financial penalty.

2 Any representations must be made within the period of 28 days beginning with the day after that on which the notice was given (“the period for representations”).

Final notice
5 After the end of the period for representations the local housing authority must—
a decide whether to impose a financial penalty on the person, and

b if it decides to impose a financial penalty, decide the amount of the penalty.

6 If the authority decides to impose a financial penalty on the person, it must give the person a notice (a “final notice”) imposing that penalty.
7 The final notice must require the penalty to be paid within the period of 28 days beginning with the day after that on which the notice was given.
8 The final notice must set out—
a the date on which the final notice is given,

b the amount of the financial penalty,

c the reasons for imposing the penalty,

d information about how to pay the penalty,

e the period for payment of the penalty,

f information about rights of appeal, and

g the consequences of failure to comply with the notice.

9 Withdrawal or amendment of notice

1 A local housing authority may at any time—
a withdraw a notice of intent or final notice, or

b reduce the amount specified in a notice of intent or final notice.

2 The power in sub-paragraph (1) is to be exercised by giving notice in writing to the person to whom the notice was given.

10 Appeals

1 A person to whom a final notice is given may appeal to the First-tier Tribunal against—
a the decision to impose the penalty, or

b the amount of the penalty.

2 An appeal under this paragraph must be brought within the period of 28 days beginning with the day after that on which the final notice was given.

3 If a person appeals under this paragraph, the final notice is suspended until the appeal is finally determined, withdrawn or abandoned.

4 An appeal under this paragraph—
a is to be a re-hearing of the local housing authority’s decision, but

b may be determined having regard to matters of which the authority was unaware.

5 On an appeal under this paragraph the First-tier Tribunal may confirm, vary or cancel the final notice.

6 The final notice may not be varied under sub-paragraph (5) so as to make it impose a financial penalty of more than the local housing authority could have imposed.

11 Recovery of financial penalty

1 This paragraph applies if a person fails to pay the whole or any part of a financial penalty which, in accordance with this Schedule, the person is liable to pay.

2 The local housing authority which imposed the financial penalty may recover the whole or part of the penalty on the order of the county court as if it were payable under an order of that court.

3 In proceedings before the county court for the recovery of a financial penalty or part of a financial penalty, a certificate which is—
a signed by the chief finance officer of the local housing authority which imposed the penalty, and

b states that the amount due has not been received by a date specified in the certificate,
is conclusive evidence of that fact.

4 A certificate to that effect and purporting to be so signed is to be treated as being so signed unless the contrary is proved.

5 In this paragraph “chief finance officer” has the same meaning as in section 5 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989.

Proceeds of financial penalties
12 Where a local housing authority imposes a financial penalty under this Act, it may apply the proceeds towards meeting the costs and expenses (whether administrative or legal) incurred in, or associated with, carrying out any of its enforcement functions under this Act or otherwise in relation to the private rented sector.
13 Any proceeds of a financial penalty imposed under this Act which are not applied in accordance with paragraph 12 must be paid to the Secretary of State.
14
1 In paragraph 12, enforcement functions “in relation to the private rented sector” means enforcement functions relating to—
a residential premises in England that are let, or intended to be let, under a tenancy,

b the common parts of such premises,

c the activities of a landlord under a tenancy of residential premises in England,

d the activities of a superior landlord in relation to such a tenancy,

e the activities of a person carrying on English letting agency work within the meaning of section 54 of the Housing and Planning Act 2016 in relation to such premises, or

f the activities of a person carrying on English property management work within the meaning of section 55 of the Housing and Planning Act 2016 in relation to such premises.

2 For the purposes of this paragraph “residential premises” has the meaning given by section 1 of the Housing Act 2004 except that it does not include social housing within the meaning of Part 2 of the Housing and Regeneration Act 2008.

3 For the purposes of this paragraph “tenancy” includes a licence to occupy.
Section 171 insertion, 5 deletions
Amends Housing Act 1988 — see section 17
In section 17 (succession to assured tenancy)—
a in subsection (1)(a), omit ~~“periodic”~~;

b in subsection (1A)(a), omit ~~“periodic”~~;

c omit subsection (1B);

d omit subsection (1C);

e in subsection (1D), for ~~“, (1A), (1B) or (1C)”~~ substitute “or (1A)”;

f in subsection (5), omit ~~“or (1B)(c) above”~~;

g in subsection (6), omit ~~“, (1C)”~~;

h omit subsection (7).
Section 182 insertions, 3 deletions
Amends Housing Act 1988 — see section 18
In section 18 (provisions as to reversions on assured tenancies)—
a in subsection (3)—
i in the words before paragraph (a) omit ~~“which is a periodic tenancy (including a statutory periodic tenancy)”~~;

ii omit paragraph (a) and the “or” after it;

iii in paragraph (b), for ~~“periodic”~~ substitute “assured”;

iv in the words after paragraph (b), for ~~“periodic”~~ substitute “assured”;

b omit subsection (4).
Section 212 insertions, 2 deletions
Amends Housing Act 1988 — see section 21
In section 175 (homelessness and threatened homelessness), in subsection (5)—
a in paragraph (a), for ~~“section 21 of the Housing Act 1988 (orders for possession on expiry or termination of assured shorthold tenancy)”~~ substitute “section 8 of the Housing Act 1988 (notice of proceedings for possession)”;

b in paragraph (b), for ~~“that notice will expire”~~ substitute “the date specified in that notice is”.
Section 213 insertions, 3 deletions
Amends Housing Act 1988 — see section 21
In section 195 (duties in cases of threatened homelessness), in subsection (6)—
a in the words before paragraph (a), for ~~“section 21 of the Housing Act 1988 (orders for possession on expiry or termination of assured shorthold tenancy)”~~ substitute “section 8 of the Housing Act 1988 (notice of proceedings for possession)”;

b in paragraph (a)—
i for ~~“will expire”~~ substitute “specifies a date that is”;

ii for ~~“expired”~~ substitute “passed”.
Section 213 insertions
Amends Housing Act 1988 — see section 21
1 This paragraph applies where, before the commencement date—
a a valid notice under section 21 of the 1988 Act has been given, and

b the claimant in possession proceedings has not requested the court to issue the claim form for those proceedings.

2 Section 21 of the 1988 Act has effect as if the following were substituted for subsections (4D) and (4E)—

4D Subject to subsection (4E), proceedings for an order for possession under this section in relation to a dwelling-house in England may not be begun if the claimant in the proceedings requests the court to issue the claim for the proceedings after the end of the applicable period.

4DA For that purpose the “applicable period” is—
a the period of six months beginning with the date on which the notice was given under subsection (1) or (4), or

b the period of three months beginning with the commencement date, if this three month period ends before the six month period mentioned in paragraph (a).

4E Where—
a a notice under subsection (4) has been given in relation to a dwelling-house in England, and

b paragraph (b) of that subsection requires the date specified in the notice to be more than two months after the date the notice was given,
proceedings for an order for possession under this section may not be begun if the claimant in the proceedings requests the court to issue the claim for the proceedings after the end of the applicable period.

4EA For that purpose the “applicable period” is—
a the period of four months beginning with the date specified in the notice, or

b the period of three months beginning with the commencement date, if this three month period ends before the four month period mentioned in paragraph (a).

4EB In subsections (4DA) and (4EA) “commencement date” has the meaning given by section 146 of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025.

3 The notice under section 21 remains valid—
a until the end of the applicable period, except where the claimant has requested the court to issue the claim form for possession proceedings before the end of that period;

b until possession proceedings are concluded, if the claimant has requested the court to issue the claim form for those proceedings before the end of the applicable period.

4 The amendments made by Chapter 1 of Part 1 do not apply in relation to the tenancy until the notice under section 21 ceases to be valid by virtue of sub-paragraph (3) (and accordingly the tenancy remains an assured shorthold tenancy until then).
5 In relation to a tenancy to which sub-paragraph (4) applies, section 146(3) (except in its application to this paragraph) has effect as if the following were substituted for the definition of “commencement date”—
“commencement date” means the date on which, by virtue of paragraph 4 of Schedule 6, the amendments made by Chapter 1 of Part 1 apply in relation to a tenancy;
.
6 In this paragraph—
- “applicable period”, in relation to possession proceedings, has the same meaning that it has in relation to those proceedings in section 21 of the 1988 Act as modified by sub-paragraph (2);
- “possession proceedings” means proceedings for an order for possession under section 21 of the 1988 Act in reliance on a valid notice given under that section.
Section 252 insertions, 2 deletions
Amends Housing Act 1988 — see section 25
In section 25 of the 1988 Act (security of tenure in relation to assured agricultural occupancies)—
a omit subsection (1);

b in subsection (2)—
i for ~~“Part II”~~ substitute “Part 1”;

ii for ~~“Ground 16”~~ substitute “Grounds 2ZA to 2ZD, 5A and 5C”.
Section 395 insertions, 4 deletions
Amends Housing Act 1988 — see section 39
1 Section 39 (statutory tenants: succession) is amended as follows.

2 In subsection (5), in the words after paragraph (b), omit ~~“periodic”~~.

3 In subsection (6)—
a in the words before paragraph (a), omit ~~“periodic”~~;

b in paragraph (d), after the second “tenancy” insert “(but this is subject to section 4A)”;

c in paragraph (e), for ~~“sections 13 to 15”~~ substitute “sections 13 to 16B”;

d omit paragraph (f).

4 Omit subsection (7).

5 In subsection (8)—
a omit ~~“periodic”~~;

b after “above)” insert “; and section 24A does not apply in relation to the assured tenancy to which the successor becomes entitled”.

6 For subsection (9) substitute—

9 Where, immediately before the predecessor’s death, the predecessor was a tenant under a fixed term tenancy (the “former tenancy”), the following provisions of this subsection apply in relation to the assured tenancy to which the successor becomes entitled on the predecessor’s death (the “new tenancy”)—
a not later than the first anniversary of the date of the predecessor’s death, the landlord may serve on the tenant, or the tenant may serve on the landlord, a notice in the prescribed form (a “notice of variation”)—
i proposing terms of the new tenancy, other than terms as to the amount of the rent, that are different from the terms which have effect by virtue of subsection (6)(e) (the “implied terms”), and

ii if the landlord or the tenant considers it appropriate, proposing an adjustment of the amount of the rent to take account of the proposed terms;

b where a notice of variation has been served under paragraph (a)—
i within the period of three months beginning on the date on which the notice was served on him, the landlord or the tenant, as the case may be, may, by an application in the prescribed form, refer the notice to the appropriate tribunal under paragraph (c), and

ii if the notice is not so referred, then, with effect from such date, not falling within the period referred to in sub-paragraph (i), as may be specified in the notice, the terms proposed in the notice shall become terms of the tenancy in substitution for any of the implied terms dealing with the same subject matter and the amount of the rent shall be varied in accordance with any adjustment so proposed;

c where a notice of variation is referred to the appropriate tribunal, the appropriate tribunal must consider the terms proposed in the notice and must determine whether those terms, or some other terms (dealing with the same subject matter as the proposed terms), are such as, in the appropriate tribunal’s opinion, might reasonably be expected to be found in an assured tenancy of the dwelling-house concerned, being a tenancy—
i which begins on the date of the predecessor’s death, and

ii which is granted by a willing landlord on terms which, except in so far as they relate to the subject matter of the proposed terms, are those of the new tenancy at the time of the appropriate tribunal’s consideration;

d whether or not a notice of variation proposes an adjustment of the amount of the rent under the former tenancy, where the appropriate tribunal determine any terms under paragraph (c), they must, if they consider it appropriate, specify such an adjustment to take account of the terms so determined;

e in making a determination underparagraph (c), or specifying an adjustment of an amount of rent under paragraph (d), there must be disregarded any effect on the terms or the amount of the rent attributable to the granting of a tenancy to a sitting tenant;

f where a notice of variation is referred to the appropriate tribunal, then, unless the landlord and the tenant otherwise agree, with effect from such date as the appropriate tribunal may direct—
i the terms determined by the appropriate tribunal become terms of the new tenancy in substitution for any of the implied terms dealing with the same subject matter, and

ii the amount of the rent under the statutory periodic tenancy is altered to accord with any adjustment specified by the appropriate tribunal;
but for the purposes of sub-paragraph (ii) the appropriate tribunal must not direct a date earlier than the date specified, in accordance with subsection (3)(b) above, in the notice of variation;

g nothing in this section requires the appropriate tribunal to continue with a determination under paragraph (c) if the landlord and tenant give notice in writing that they no longer require such a determination or if the tenancy has come to an end.
Section 441 change, 2 insertions
44 Application to Crown Property.
1 Subject to paragraph 11 of Schedule 1 to this Act and ~~subsection (2)~~subsections (1A) and (2) below, Chapters I to IV above apply in relation to premises in which there subsists, or at any material time subsisted, a Crown interest as they apply in relation to premises in relation to which no such interest subsists or ever subsisted.
1A In Chapter 1— (a) section 16J does not bind the Crown; (b) in section 16K(1) as it applies by virtue of subsection (1), the reference to a person being guilty of an offence under section 16J is to be read as a reference to the person— (i) being a landlord under an assured tenancy, or acting or purporting to act on behalf of such a landlord, and (in relation to that tenancy) satisfying the condition in paragraph (a) of section 16J(1) where the condition in paragraph (b) of section 16J(1) is also satisfied, (ii) contravening section 16E(2) or (3), (iii) satisfying the conditions in paragraphs (a) and (b) of section 16J(3), or (iv) satisfying the conditions in paragraphs (a) and (b)(i) of section 16J(4), and section 16K(4) is to be read accordingly.
1B Subsection (1A)(a) does not affect the criminal liability of persons in the service of the Crown.
subsections (2) – (4) unchanged
Section 1161 insertion, 1 deletion
Amends Housing Act 1988 — see section 116
In section 116 (general effect of final management orders), in subsection (4)—
a in paragraph (a)(ii), omit ~~“(subject to paragraph (b))”~~;

b for paragraph (b) substitute—

b paragraph (a) does not apply to the creation of an interest in the nature of an assured tenancy within the meaning of Part 1 of the Housing Act 1988.
Schedule 110 insertions, 3 deletions
Amends Housing Act 1988 — see Schedule 1
1 In Part 1 of Schedule 1 to the 1988 Act (tenancies which cannot be assured tenancies), after paragraph 3C insert—

3D Fixed term tenancies of more than 21 years
A fixed term tenancy of a term certain of more than 21 years from the date of the grant of the tenancy.

3E Fixed term tenancies of 7 to 21 years granted before the Renters’ Rights Act 2025

1 A tenancy of a term certain of—
a 21 years or less, but

b more than 7 years,
from the date of the grant of the tenancy.

2 This paragraph applies only to tenancies entered into—
a before the day on which the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 was passed,

b during the period of two months beginning with that day, or

c after the end of that period under a contract entered into before the end of that period.

3F Regulated home purchase plans

1 A tenancy which, when it is granted, forms part of a regulated home purchase plan.

2 In this paragraph “regulated home purchase plan” has the same meaning that it has from time to time in regulation 63F(3)(a) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) Order 2001 (S.I. 2001/544).

3 The Secretary of State may, by regulations, amend this paragraph in consequence of an order made under section 22 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000.

4 Regulations under this paragraph—
a may make different provision for different purposes;

b are to be made by statutory instrument.

5 A statutory instrument containing regulations under this paragraph may not be made unless a draft of the instrument has been laid before and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament.

2 In section 133 of the 1988 Act (consent required for certain subsequent disposals), in subsection (11)(f), for ~~“4”~~ substitute “3D”.

3 In the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985—
a in section 9B (leases to which section 9A of that Act applies), in subsection (1)(b)—
i after “subsection (1A)” insert “, (1AA)”;

ii for the words from “leases” to “more” substitute “certain leases to which section 11 applies”;

b in section 13 (leases to which section 11 of that Act applies: general rule)—
i after subsection (1) insert—

1AZA But that is subject to subsections (1ZA) to (1ZC).

;

ii in subsection (1ZA), for ~~“But in”~~ substitute “In”;

iii after subsection (1ZB) insert—

1ZC Section 11 does not apply to a lease of a dwelling-house in England which—
a was an assured tenancy immediately before the commencement date (which has the meaning given by section 146(3) of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025), and

b was granted—
i for a term of seven years or more, and

ii by a person other than a private registered provider of social housing.

;

iv in subsection (1A) omit paragraph (b) and the word “or” preceding it;

v after subsection (1A) insert—

1AA Section 11 also applies to a lease of a dwelling-house in England granted on or after the day on which section 166 of the Localism Act 2011 came into force which is a tenancy for a fixed term of more than seven years that—
a would be an assured tenancy if it were not for a term of more than seven years,

b is not a shared ownership lease, and

c is granted by a private registered provider of social housing.

;

vi in subsection (1B), for ~~“In subsection (1A)”~~ substitute “In this section”.

4 In paragraph 1 of Schedule 10 to the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 (security of tenure on ending of long residential tenancies), in sub-paragraph (1)(a) after “low rent” insert “and were not for a term of more than seven years”.

5 Where, immediately before the day on which this section comes into force, proceedings for an order for possession under section 8 of the 1988 Act in reliance on a valid notice given under that section of that Act have been commenced in relation to a tenancy and have not been concluded, or have not been commenced but have not become time-barred—
a the tenancy remains an assured tenancy, and the notice remains valid, until any time when such proceedings in reliance on the notice become time-barred or are concluded, and

b until that time the amendments made by subsections (1) and (4) do not apply in relation to the tenancy.

6 For the purposes of subsection (5), proceedings are “time-barred” after the time limit mentioned in section 8 (3)(c) of the 1988 Act.
Schedule 105 insertions, 9 deletions
Amends Housing Act 1988 — see Schedule 10
In Schedule 10 (security of tenure on ending of long residential tenancies)—
a in paragraph 5 (1)(a), omit ~~“, other than Ground 16”~~;

b for paragraph 5 (2) substitute—

2 Ground 6 in Schedule 2 to the 1988 Act may not be specified in a landlord’s notice to resume possession if the tenancy is a former 1954 Act tenancy.

2A Where that Ground applies to any other long residential tenancy in accordance with sub-paragraph (1), it is to apply as if—
a in paragraph (b) of that Ground, the words “, but only in a case where section 7(5ZA) applies in relation to the tenancy,” were omitted;

b in the general redevelopment conditions, paragraph (f) was omitted.

;

c in paragraph 6 (3)(c)—
i omit ~~“(other than an assured shorthold tenancy)”~~;

ii for ~~“5”~~ substitute “5H”;

d in paragraph 11 (3)—
i in the opening words, omit ~~“(not being an assured shorthold tenancy)”~~;

ii in paragraph (c), for ~~“5”~~ substitute “5H”;

e in paragraph 11 (5)—
i in the opening words, omit ~~“(not being an assured shorthold tenancy)”~~;

ii in paragraph (c), for ~~“5”~~ substitute “5H”;

f in paragraph 12 (1), omit ~~“or Chapter II”~~;

g in paragraph 13 (4), for ~~“15”~~ substitute “18”.
Schedule 2
Amends Housing Act 1988 — see Schedule 2
Schedule 2 to the 1988 Act (grounds for possession of dwelling-houses let on assured tenancies) is amended as follows.
Schedule 71 insertion, 1 deletion
Amends Housing Act 1988 — see Schedule 7
In Schedule 7 (general effect of final EDMOs), in paragraph 10(4)—
a in paragraph (a)(ii) omit ~~“(subject to paragraph (b))”~~;

b for paragraph (b) substitute—

b paragraph (a) does not apply to the creation of an interest in the nature of an assured tenancy within the meaning of the Housing Act 1988.

Tenant Fees Act 2019

4 amendments · open Act

4 insertions, 2 deletions
Amends Tenant Fees Act 2019
1 The Tenant Fees Act 2019 is amended as follows.

2 Omit section 17.
3 In section 28 (1) (interpretation)—
a for the definition of “assured shorthold tenancy” substitute—

“assured tenancy” means an assured tenancy within the meaning of Chapter 1 of Part 1 of the Housing Act 1988 (for transitional provision see Schedule 6 to the Renters’ Rights Act 2025);

;
b omit the definition of “long lease”;
c in the definition of “tenancy”, for paragraph (a) substitute—

an assured tenancy other than a tenancy of social housing,

.
4 In section 32 (Crown application), in subsection (3)(b), for ~~“assured shorthold tenancy”~~ substitute “assured tenancy”.

5 In Schedule 3 (financial penalties etc), in paragraph 12 (3)(a), for ~~“assured shorthold tenancy”~~ substitute “assured tenancy”.
Amends Tenant Fees Act 2019
1 If the Welsh Ministers are satisfied that—
a a discriminatory rental practice exists in relation to dwellings that may be the subject of occupation contracts (“relevant rental dwellings”), and

b because of that discriminatory rental practice, the victims of that practice are significantly less likely to obtain the grant, renewal or continuance of occupation contracts than other people,
the Welsh Ministers may make regulations prohibiting that discriminatory rental practice.

2 A “discriminatory rental practice” exists in relation to relevant rental dwellings if some or all relevant persons—
a on the basis that people are members of a particular group, prevent those people from—
i enquiring whether relevant rental dwellings are available for rent,

ii accessing information about relevant rental dwellings,

iii viewing relevant rental dwellings in order to consider whether to seek to rent them, or

iv obtaining the grant, renewal or continuance of occupation contracts in respect of relevant rental dwellings, or

b apply a provision, criterion or practice in order to make a particular group of people less likely to obtain the grant, renewal or continuance of occupation contracts of relevant rental dwellings than people not in that group.

3 The “victims” of a discriminatory rental practice are—
a where a particular group of people are prevented from doing the things mentioned in subsection (2)(a), the people in that group;

b where a provision, criterion or practice is applied in order to make a particular group of people less likely to obtain the grant, renewal or continuance of occupation contracts as mentioned in subsection (2)(b), the people in that group.

4 Regulations “prohibiting” a discriminatory rental practice are regulations relating to—
a the discriminatory rental practice, and

b the persons who are the victims of it,
which make provision corresponding to the relevant anti-discrimination legislation.

5 The relevant anti-discrimination legislation is—
a Part 2A of the Renting Homes (Fees, Discrimination etc.) (Wales) Act 2019, except for section 8C(b), and

b Chapter 6A of Part 3 of the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016;
but regulations under this section may make provision corresponding to the provision that may be made under section 8C(b) of the Renting Homes (Fees, Discrimination etc.) (Wales) Act 2019.

6 Before making regulations prohibiting a discriminatory rental practice, the Welsh Ministers must consult such of the following persons as the Welsh Ministers consider appropriate—
a victims of the discriminatory rental practice or one or more representatives of such persons;

b landlords and prospective landlords under occupation contracts or one or more representatives of such persons;

c other landlords and prospective landlords under leases of premises that consist of or include a dwelling or one or more representatives of such persons;

d mortgagees of dwellings or one or more representatives of such persons;

e insurers of dwellings or one or more representatives of such persons;

f local housing authorities or one or more representatives of local housing authorities.

7 For that purpose a “representative” of persons of a particular kind, or of local housing authorities, is a body or other person which appears to the Welsh Ministers to represent the interests of persons of that kind, or of local housing authorities.

8 Regulations under this section may amend, repeal or revoke provision made from time to time by or under the relevant anti-discrimination legislation.
9 In this section—
- “benefits claimant” has the meaning given by section 8J of the Renting Homes (Fees, Discrimination etc.) (Wales) Act 2019;
- “local housing authority” means the council for a county or county borough in Wales;
- “occupation contract” has the same meaning as in the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 (see section 7 of that Act);
- “relevant person” has the meaning given by section 8J of the Renting Homes (Fees, Discrimination etc.) (Wales) Act 2019.
Schedule 111 insertions, 7 deletions
Amends Tenant Fees Act 2019 — see Schedule 1
1 Schedule 1 to the Tenant Fees Act 2019 (permitted payments) is amended in accordance with subsections (2) and (3).

2 After paragraph 1(1) (rent is a permitted payment) insert—

1A But a payment of rent is a prohibited payment if—
a it is payable before the tenancy is entered into, and

b the tenancy is an assured tenancy.

1B This paragraph is subject to paragraph 1A.

3 For sub-paragraph (2) of paragraph 1 substitute—

1A Increased rent

1 If the amount of rent payable in respect of any relevant period (“P1”) is more than the amount of rent payable in respect of any later relevant period (“P2”), the additional amount payable in respect of P1 is a prohibited payment.

2 That is subject to the following provisions of this paragraph.
4 After section 5 of the Tenant Fees Act 2019 insert—
Other provision about rent in advance
5A Pre-tenancy payments of rent: prohibitions

1 A landlord must not—
a invite or encourage a relevant person to make a prohibited pre-tenancy payment of rent to the landlord in connection with an assured tenancy of housing in England,

b accept an offer from a relevant person to make a prohibited pre-tenancy payment of rent to the landlord in connection with an assured tenancy of housing in England, or

c accept from a relevant person a prohibited pre-tenancy payment of rent in connection with an assured tenancy of housing in England.

2 A landlord must not—
a invite or encourage a relevant person to make a prohibited pre-tenancy payment of rent to a third party in connection with an assured tenancy of housing in England,

b accept an offer from a relevant person to make a prohibited pre-tenancy payment of rent to a third party in connection with an assured tenancy of housing in England, or

c accept from a third party a prohibited pre-tenancy payment of rent in connection with an assured tenancy of housing in England.

3 A letting agent must not—
a invite or encourage a relevant person to make a prohibited pre-tenancy payment of rent to the letting agent in connection with an assured tenancy of housing in England,

b accept an offer from a relevant person to make a prohibited pre-tenancy payment of rent to the letting agent in connection with an assured tenancy of housing in England, or

c accept from a relevant person a prohibited pre-tenancy payment of rent in connection with an assured tenancy of housing in England.

4 A letting agent must not—
a invite or encourage a relevant person to make a prohibited pre-tenancy payment of rent to a third party in connection with an assured tenancy of housing in England,

b accept an offer from a relevant person to make a prohibited pre-tenancy payment of rent to a third party in connection with an assured tenancy of housing in England, or

c accept from a third party a prohibited pre-tenancy payment of rent in connection with an assured tenancy of housing in England.

5 The Secretary of State may, by regulations made by statutory instrument, amend this section for the purpose of making provision about the descriptions of rent due in advance to which any provision of subsection (1), (2), (3) or (4) applies.

For this purpose “rent due in advance” means rent due before the period for which it is payable.

6 Regulations under subsection (5)—
a may make different provision for different purposes;

b may make supplemental, incidental, consequential, transitional, transitory or saving provision;

c are to be made by statutory instrument.

7 A statutory instrument containing regulations under subsection (5) may not be made unless a draft of the instrument has been laid before and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament.

8 In this section “prohibited pre-tenancy payment of rent” means a payment of rent that is prohibited by paragraph 1(1A) of Schedule 1.

5B Effect of a breach of section 5A

1 A term of an agreement between a letting agent and a relevant person which breaches section 5A is not binding on a relevant person.

2 Where a term of an agreement is not binding on a relevant person as a result of this section, the agreement continues, so far as practicable, to have effect in every other respect.
5 The Tenant Fees Act 2019 is further amended as follows—
a in section 6 (enforcement by local weights and measures authorities)—
i in subsection (1), in paragraph (b) omit ~~“and”~~ and after that paragraph insert—

ba section 5A (pre-tenancy payments of rent: prohibitions), and

;

ii in subsection (3), for ~~“or 2”~~ substitute “, 2 or 5A”;

b in section 7 (enforcement by district councils), in subsection (1), for ~~“and 2”~~ substitute “, 2 and 5A”;

c in section 8 (financial penalties), in subsection (1), for ~~“or 2”~~ substitute “, 2 or 5A”;

d in section 10 (recovery by enforcement authority of amount paid)—
i in subsection (1)(a), for ~~“or 2”~~ substitute “, 2 or 5A”;

ii after subsection (2) insert—

2A But that obligation to pay the amount, or remaining part, of the prohibited payment is subject to subsection (3), unless it is a case where the payment is prohibited by paragraph 1(1A) of Schedule 1 (pre-tenancy payment of rent).

;

iii in subsection (3), for ~~“But subsection (2) does not apply in relation to a prohibited payment”~~ substitute “Subsection (2) does not apply in relation to the prohibited payment”;

e in section 15 (recovery by relevant person of amount paid), in subsection (1)(a), for ~~“or 2”~~ substitute “, 2 or 5A”.
Schedule 31 insertion
Amends Tenant Fees Act 2019 — see Schedule 3
In Schedule 3 to the Tenant Fees Act 2019 (financial penalties), in paragraph 12 (1), after paragraph (c) insert—

ca the activities of a superior landlord in relation to such a tenancy,

.

Protection from Eviction Act 1977

2 amendments · open Act

Section 12 insertions
1 Unlawful eviction and harassment of occupier.
subsections (1) – (6) unchanged
7 A person may not be convicted of an offence under this section in respect of any conduct if a financial penalty has been imposed under section 1A in respect of that conduct.
1A Financial penalty for offence under section 1
1 A local housing authority may impose a financial penalty on a person if satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the person has committed an offence under section 1 in relation to premises in England.
2 No financial penalty may be imposed in respect of any conduct amounting to an offence under section 1 if (a) the person has been convicted of an offence under that section in respect of the conduct, (b) criminal proceedings for an offence under that section in respect of the conduct have been instituted against the person and the proceedings have not been concluded, or (c) criminal proceedings for an offence under that section in respect of the conduct have been concluded and the person has not been convicted of the offence.
3 The amount of a financial penalty imposed under this section is to be determined by the authority imposing it, but must not be more than £40,000.
subsections (4) – (8) inserted (see source act for full text)
Section 51 change, 4 insertions
5 Validity of notices to quit.
1 Subject to subsection (1B) below no notice by a landlord or a tenant to quit any premises let (whether before or after the commencement of this Act) as a dwelling shall be valid unless— (a) it is in writing and contains such information as may be prescribed, and (b) ~~it is given not less than 4 weeks before the date on which it is to take effect~~it satisfies subsection (1ZA).
1ZA A notice to quit satisfies this subsection— (a) where it is given by a tenant in relation to premises let under an assured tenancy, if it is given (i) not less than any length of time before the date on which the notice is to take effect, not exceeding two months, that the landlord has agreed to in writing, or (ii) in the absence of agreement under sub-paragraph (i), not less than two months before the date on which the notice is to take effect; (b) otherwise, if it is given not less than four weeks before the date on which it is to take effect. But in relation to landlords under assured tenancies see section 5(1) of the Housing Act 1988 (notice to quit by landlord is of no effect).
1ZB In the case of a joint assured tenancy, an agreement under subsection (1ZA)(a)(i) is not valid unless it is made between the landlord and all of the tenants.
1ZC That does not affect the validity of any notice to quit premises let under a joint assured tenancy that is given by only one or some of the tenants.
1ZD In this section “joint assured tenancy” means an assured tenancy where two or more persons are tenants under the tenancy.
subsections (1A) – (3) unchanged

Housing Act 1996

6 amendments · open Act

1 insertion, 1 deletion
Amends Housing Act 1996
1 The Housing Act 1996 is amended as follows.

2 In section 193 (duty to persons with priority need who are not homeless intentionally)—
a in subsection (1A), omit paragraph (b) (exception for notice of refusal to co-operate) and the “or” before it;

b in subsection (6) omit paragraph (cc);

c in subsection (7AB) omit paragraph (c) and the “and” before it;

d in subsection (7AC)—
i in paragraph (a) omit ~~“shorthold”~~;

ii at the end of paragraph (a) insert “and”;

iii omit paragraph (c) and the “and” before it.

3 In section 193C (consequences of deliberate and unreasonable refusal to co-operate) omit subsections (3) to (10) (homelessness relief duty).

4 Omit section 195A (duty to offer accommodation following re-application after private sector offer).
Amends Housing Act 1996
The Housing Act 1996 is amended as follows.
Section 2095 insertions, 1 deletion
Amends Housing Act 1996 — see section 209
1 In section 209 of the Housing Act 1996 (interim accommodation in relation to which an assured tenancy will not normally arise), in subsection (1), after “190,” insert “199A,”.

2 In Schedule 1 to the 1988 Act, paragraph 8 (lettings to students that are not assured tenancies) is amended as follows—
a for sub-paragraph (1) substitute—

1 A tenancy which is granted to a person who is pursuing, or intends to pursue, a course of study provided by a specified educational institution if—
a the tenancy is granted—
i by that institution,

ii by another specified educational institution, or

iii by a specified body of persons, or

b either of the following is a member of a specified housing management code of practice—
i a person appointed to act on the landlord’s behalf in respect of the tenancy;

ii a person appointed to discharge management functions in respect of the building which comprises the dwelling-house or in which the dwelling-house is situated.

1A Subsection (1) is subject to sub-paragraphs (2B) to (2D) and (5) to (7).

;

b after sub-paragraph (2) insert—

2A Regulations under sub-paragraph (2) may, in particular, specify as a body of persons—
a the members, or

b a class of the members,
from time to time of a housing management code of practice which is specified for this purpose by regulations under sub-paragraph (2).

2B The Secretary of State may by regulations made by statutory instrument—
a specify a class of building, and

b provide that a tenancy—
i does not fall within this paragraph if the dwelling-house is in a building of the specified class, or

ii falls within this paragraph only if the dwelling-house is in a building of the specified class.

2C The Secretary of State may by regulations made by statutory instrument—
a specify a student landlord or a class of student landlord,

b specify a class of building in relation to the specified student landlord or specified class of student landlord, and

c provide that, where the landlord is the specified student landlord, or a student landlord of the specified class, the tenancy—
i does not fall within this paragraph if the dwelling-house is in the specified class of building, or

ii falls within this paragraph only if the dwelling-house is in the specified class of building.

2D The Secretary of State may by regulations made by statutory instrument—
a specify a person appointed to act on the landlord’s behalf in respect of the tenancy or to discharge management functions in respect of the building or a class of such persons,

b specify a class of building in relation to the specified person or specified class of persons, and

c provide that a tenancy—
i does not fall within this paragraph if the dwelling-house is in the specified class of building and there is a person appointed to act on the landlord’s behalf in respect of the tenancy or to discharge management functions in respect of the building who is specified or is in the specified class of such persons, or

ii falls within this paragraph only if the dwelling-house is in the specified class of building and there is a person appointed to act on the landlord’s behalf in respect of the tenancy or to discharge management functions in respect of the building who is specified or is in the specified class of such persons.

2E Regulations under sub-paragraph (2B)(a) or (2C)(b) or (2D)(b) may, in particular, specify as a class of building—
a the buildings, or

b a class of the buildings,
from time to time subject to a housing management code of practice which is specified for this purpose by regulations under sub-paragraph (1)(b), (2B)(a) or (2C)(b).

2F Regulations under sub-paragraph (2C)(a) may, in particular, specify as a class of student landlord—
a the members, or

b a class of the members,
from time to time of a housing management code of practice which is specified for this purpose by regulations under sub-paragraph (2C)(a).

;

c in sub-paragraph (3), for ~~“the power conferred by sub-paragraph (2) above”~~ substitute “a power conferred by this section”;

d after sub-paragraph (3) insert—

4 Regulations under this paragraph—
a may make different provision for different purposes;

b may make supplemental, consequential, incidental, transitional, transitory or saving provision.

5 The question of whether or not a tenancy is within this paragraph is to be determined by reference to the circumstances at the time when the tenancy is granted.

6 A change in the circumstances after that time does not affect whether or not a tenancy is within this paragraph, except in a case where—
a the tenant is entitled to possession of the dwelling-house at a time after the tenancy was granted, and

b at the time when the tenant is entitled to possession—
i condition A is met (see sub-paragraph (8)),

ii condition B is met (see sub-paragraphs (9) and (10)), or

iii both of those conditions are met.

7 In such a case, the tenancy ceases to fall within this paragraph (and accordingly this paragraph ceases to prevent the tenancy from being an assured tenancy) at the time when the tenant is entitled to possession.

8 Condition A is met if—
a the tenancy was exempt solely by reference to a code of practice, but

b at the time when the tenant is entitled to possession of the dwelling-house, the landlord’s interest under the lease does not attract the exemption under this paragraph.

9 Condition B is met if—
a at the time when the tenancy was granted—
i regulations under sub-paragraph (2B), (2C) or (2D) were in force, but

ii those regulations did not prevent the tenancy from being within this paragraph, but

b at the time when the tenant is entitled to possession of the dwelling-house—
i regulations under sub-paragraph (2B), (2C) or (2D) are in force, and

ii those regulations prevent the tenancy from being within this paragraph.

10 But condition B is not met in any circumstances that are specified, or are of a description specified, for this purpose by regulations made by the Secretary of State.

11 For the purposes of this paragraph—
a “management functions” in respect of a building includes functions relating to—
i the provision of services, or

ii the repair, maintenance, improvement or insurance of the building;

b “student landlord” means an institution or body of persons specified, or of a class specified, for the purposes of this paragraph (see sub-paragraph (2));

c “housing management code of practice” means a code of practice approved by the Secretary of State under section 233 of the Housing Act 2004 (codes relating to the management of HMOs or excepted accommodation);

d a building is “subject to” a housing management code of practice if it—
i is a particular building subject to the code, or

ii is of a class of buildings subject to the code;

e a reference to—
i a class of the buildings from time to time subject to a housing management code of practice, or

ii a class of the members from time to time of a housing management code of practice,
includes the buildings or members that are from time to time in a class provided for in the code of practice;

f a tenancy is “exempt solely by reference to a code of practice” if—
i the tenancy was granted by a body of persons who were, at the time of the grant, a specified landlord solely by reference to a code of practice, or

ii at the time of the grant, sub-paragraph (1)(b) applied to the tenancy but sub-paragraph (1)(a) did not apply to the tenancy;

g a reference to the landlord’s interest under the lease not attracting the exemption under this paragraph is a reference to—
i a case where the landlord is not a student landlord and there is no person appointed to act on the landlord’s behalf in respect of the tenancy or to discharge management functions in respect of the relevant building; or

ii a case where the landlord is not a student landlord and there is a person appointed to act on the landlord’s behalf in respect of the tenancy or to discharge management functions in respect of the relevant building, but that person is not a member of a specified housing management code of practice;
and for that purpose the “relevant building” is the building which the dwelling-house comprises or in which the dwelling-house is situated;

h a body of persons are “a specified landlord solely by reference to a code of practice” if they—
i are a member of a housing management code of practice that is specified by regulations under sub-paragraph (2A), and

ii are not specified by regulations under sub-paragraph (2) as a body of persons otherwise than as a member of that code of practice.
Section 2091 insertion
Amends Housing Act 1996 — see section 209
In section 209 (discharge of interim duties: arrangements with private landlord), in subsection (2), in the words after paragraph (b), for the words from “assured shorthold tenancy” (in the first place it occurs) to the end substitute “assured tenancy”.
Schedule 27 insertions
Amends Housing Act 1996 — see Schedule 2
1 Schedule 2 to the Housing Act 1996 (social rented sector: housing complaints) is amended as follows.

2 In paragraph 1—
a in sub-paragraph (1), after “housing activities” insert “other than private rented sector activities”;

b in sub-paragraph (3), at the end insert “, subject to paragraph 2A”.

3 In paragraph 2 (1)—
a in paragraph 4, after “scheme” insert “which must not include any private rented sector activities, except so far as the Secretary of State consents in writing to complaints about such activities being made under the scheme.”;

b after paragraph 7 insert—

7A Where the scheme provides for the housing ombudsman to be employed by the person administering the scheme, provision for the enforcement of directions given under paragraph 10(3)(b).

4 After paragraph 2 insert—

2A Criteria under paragraph 2(b) of paragraph 2(1) must include criteria preventing a person who—
a is a residential landlord, within the meaning given by section 63 of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025, and

b is not a social landlord,
from becoming a member of the scheme.

5 For paragraph 10 substitute—

10
1 The housing ombudsman for the purposes of an approved scheme is to be appointed by the Secretary of State on such terms as the Secretary of State thinks fit.

2 The Secretary of State may at any time remove a housing ombudsman from office.

3 In relation to an approved scheme which provides for the housing ombudsman to be employed by the person administering the scheme—
a the reference in sub-paragraph (1) to the terms on which the housing ombudsman is appointed includes a reference to the terms of the housing ombudsman’s employment by that person;

b the power of the Secretary of State under sub-paragraph (2) to remove a housing ombudsman from office includes power to give the person administering the scheme a direction in writing to cease to employ the individual who is housing ombudsman as housing ombudsman (and a direction under this paragraph may be revoked or varied by a further direction under this paragraph).

4 Where an approved scheme does not provide that it is to be administered by a body corporate—
a the Secretary of State may by order provide that the housing ombudsman for the purposes of the scheme is to be a corporation sole, and

b the staff to administer the scheme and otherwise assist the ombudsman in the discharge of functions are to be appointed and employed by the ombudsman.

5 Where an approved scheme provides that it is to be administered by a body corporate the Secretary of State may delegate functions under sub-paragraph (1) or (2) to the body administering the scheme.

6 A delegation under sub-paragraph (5) may specify—
a the extent to which the functions are delegated;

b any conditions to which the delegation is subject.

7 A delegation under sub-paragraph (5)—
a must be in writing;

b may be varied or revoked by the Secretary of State, in writing, at any time;

c does not prevent the Secretary of State from exercising the functions.

8 A housing ombudsman is not to be regarded as the servant or agent of the Crown or as enjoying any status, privilege or immunity of the Crown or as exempt from any tax, duty, rate, levy or other charge whatsoever, whether general or local, and any property held by a housing ombudsman is not to be regarded as property of, or held on behalf of, the Crown.

6 After paragraph 12 insert—

13 Interpretation
In this Schedule “private rented sector activities” means activities carried on by a person as a residential landlord within the meaning given by section 63 of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025.
Schedule 25 insertions, 1 deletion
Amends Housing Act 1996 — see Schedule 2
1 Paragraph 10A of Schedule 2 to the Housing Act 1996 (housing complaints: collaborative working with Local Commissioners) is amended as follows.

2 In the heading above that paragraph, for ~~“Local Commissioners”~~ substitute “other appropriate persons”.

3 In sub-paragraph (1), for the words from “a Local Commissioner” to the end substitute “an appropriate person, the housing ombudsman may, subject to sub-paragraph (2), conduct an investigation under this Act jointly with that person and any other appropriate person the housing ombudsman considers has jurisdiction.”

4 Omit sub-paragraph (1A).

5 In sub-paragraph (3), for the words from “a Local Commissioner” to the end substitute “an appropriate person relates partly to a matter within the jurisdiction of the housing ombudsman, the housing ombudsman may conduct an investigation jointly with that person and any other appropriate person investigating the complaint.”

6 In sub-paragraph (4), for the words from “investigation jointly with” to the end substitute “investigation jointly with one or more appropriate persons, the requirements of paragraph 7 may be satisfied by a report made jointly with those persons.”

7 For sub-paragraph (6) substitute—

6 For the purposes of this paragraph—
a “appropriate person” means any of the following—
i a Local Commissioner;

ii the new homes ombudsman;

iii an individual who investigates complaints under a redress scheme;

b “redress scheme” means—
i a redress scheme within the meaning of section 100 (4) of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 (leasehold and estate management redress schemes);

ii a landlord redress scheme within the meaning of section 64(2) of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025;

c a matter is within the jurisdiction of an individual who investigates complaints under a redress scheme if it is a matter which could be the subject of an investigation under that scheme.

Housing Act 2004

40 amendments · open Act

4 insertions
Amends Housing Act 2004
1 The Housing Act 2004 is amended as follows.

2 In section 1 (new system for assessing housing conditions and enforcing housing standards), after subsection (3) insert—

3A This Part also provides—
a for regulations to specify requirements that must be met in England by qualifying residential premises, and

b for the enforcement of those requirements by local housing authorities in England.

3 In subsection (4) of that section, after paragraph (d) insert—

e accommodation in England—
i the availability for occupation of which is secured under Part 7 of the Housing Act 1996 (homelessness), and

ii that is of a description specified by regulations made by the Secretary of State, or

4 After subsection (4) of that section, insert—

4A Before making regulations under subsection (4)(e)(ii), the Secretary of State must consult such persons as the Secretary of State considers appropriate.

4B The requirement to consult under subsection (4A) may be satisfied by consultation before (as well as after) the passing of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025.
5 After section 2 insert—
Additional standards for certain housing in England
2A Power to set standards for qualifying residential premises

1 The Secretary of State may by regulations specify requirements to be met by qualifying residential premises.

2 The matters which may be covered by the requirements include (but are not limited to) the following matters—
a the state of repair of the premises,

b things to be provided for use by, or for the safety, security or comfort of, persons occupying the premises, and

c the means of keeping the premises at a suitable temperature.

3 The requirements are to consist of one or both of the following—
a requirements which the Secretary of State considers appropriate to be subject to enforcement under section 5 (duty of local housing authorities to take enforcement action), referred to in this Part as “type 1 requirements”, and

b requirements which the Secretary of State considers appropriate to be subject to enforcement under section 7 (power of local housing authorities to take enforcement action), referred to in this Part as “type 2 requirements”.

4 The regulations may contain exceptions from the requirements.

2B Qualifying residential premises

1 The following are “qualifying residential premises” for the purposes of this Part—
a a dwelling or HMO in England—
i which is let under a relevant tenancy, or

ii which is supported exempt accommodation,
except where the dwelling or HMO is social housing and the landlord under the tenancy, or the provider of the accommodation, is a registered provider of social housing,

b an HMO in England where at least one unit of accommodation which forms part of the HMO is let on a relevant tenancy, except where the unit is social housing and the landlord under the tenancy is a registered provider of social housing,

c a building or part of a building constructed or adapted for use as a house in multiple occupation if—
i it is for the time being only occupied by persons who form a single household, and

ii the accommodation which those persons occupy is let under a relevant tenancy or is supported exempt accommodation,
except where the accommodation which those persons occupy is social housing and the landlord under the tenancy, or the provider of the supported exempt accommodation, is a registered provider of social housing,

d any accommodation falling within paragraph (e) of the definition of “residential premises” in section 1(4) (homelessness), except where the accommodation is social housing and the provider of the accommodation is a registered provider of social housing, and

e any common parts of a building in England containing one or more flats falling within paragraph (a), (b), (c) or (d) of this subsection.

2 In this Part—

“relevant tenancy” means—

an assured tenancy within the meaning of the Housing Act 1988,

an assured agricultural occupancy within the meaning of Part 1 of that Act, or

a regulated tenancy within the meaning of the Rent Act 1977;

“social housing” has the same meaning as in Part 2 of the Housing and Regeneration Act 2008;

“supported exempt accommodation” has the same meaning as in the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act 2023 (see section 12 of that Act).

3 The Secretary of State may by regulations amend this section so as to change the meaning of “relevant tenancy” so as to add or remove a particular kind of—
a tenancy that is periodic or granted for a term of less than 21 years, or

b licence to occupy.

4 Before making regulations under subsection (3), the Secretary of State must consult such persons as the Secretary of State considers appropriate.
6 In Schedule 4, Part 1 contains amendments of the Housing Act 2004 and Part 2 contains amendments of other Acts.
Amends Housing Act 2004
1 The Secretary of State must prepare and publish in relation to each year a report on—
a the extent to which service family accommodation in England meets the relevant standards during that year, and

b the work to maintain and improve the standard of service family accommodation in England that is undertaken during that year and planned for subsequent years.

2 The Secretary of State—
a may make the required assessment, or

b may arrange for an independent person to make the required assessment,
in relation to any year.

3 If the Secretary of State makes the required assessment in relation to a year, the Secretary of State must—
a arrange for an independent person to evaluate the assessment, and

b include that evaluation in the annual report relating to that year.

4 The Secretary of State must lay each annual report before Parliament.

5 The required assessment for a particular year may be made by reference to what is, in the view of the person carrying out the assessment, a representative sample of service family accommodation.

6 The duty imposed by subsection (1) may be complied with by the preparation and publication of a report which relates to service family accommodation in England and elsewhere in the United Kingdom.

7 For the purposes of this section, service family accommodation meets the relevant standards if the accommodation would be a decent home when assessed in accordance with the 2006 decent homes standard.

8 The Secretary of State may, by regulations, amend this section so as to make provision about what it means for service family accommodation to meet the relevant standards (which may include provision that operates by reference to other subordinate legislation).

9 But that power is not exercisable unless and until, in the Secretary of State’s view, it has ceased to be appropriate for the 2006 decent homes standard to be used for the purposes of the required assessment (having regard, in particular, to whether, or how, that standard continues to be used for other assessments of the standard of living accommodation).
10 In this section—
- “2006 decent homes standard” means the document called “A Decent Home: Definition and guidance for implementation” that was published by the Department for Communities and Local Government on 7 June 2006;
- “annual report” means a report prepared in accordance with subsection (1);
- “independent” means appearing to the Secretary of State to be independent of—
  
  the Secretary of State,
  
  other Ministers of the Crown,
  
  government departments, and
  
  persons who provide, manage or maintain service family accommodation;
- “required assessment” means an assessment of the extent to which service family accommodation meets the relevant standards during a year;
- “service family accommodation” means any building or part of a building which is provided for the use of service families as living accommodation (whether or not it is provided by the Secretary of State); and for this purpose a “service family” is—
  
  a person subject to service law and members of the person’s family, or
  
  a civilian subject to service discipline and members of the civilian’s family;
  
  and expressions used in this definition have the same meanings as they have in the Armed Forces Act 2006;
- “year” means—
  
  1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027, and
  
  each subsequent period of one year beginning with 1 April.
Amends Housing Act 2004
The Housing Act 2004 is amended as follows.
119 insertions, 27 deletions
Amends Housing Act 2004
Part 1 Amendments of Housing Act 2004
1 The Housing Act 2004 is amended as follows.
2
1 Section 1 (new system for assessing housing conditions and enforcing housing standards) is amended as follows.

2 In subsection (3)(a), omit ~~“hazard”~~.

3 After subsection (8) insert—

9 But unoccupied HMO accommodation is “qualifying residential premises” for the purposes of this Part only to the extent provided for by section 2B(1)(c).

3
1 Section 4 (inspections by local housing authorities) is amended as follows.

2 For subsection (1) substitute—

1 If a local housing authority consider as a result of any matters of which they have become aware in carrying out their duty under section 3, or for any other reason, that it would be appropriate for any residential premises in their district to be inspected with a view to determining—
a whether any category 1 or 2 hazard exists on the premises, or

b in the case of qualifying residential premises, whether the premises meet the requirements specified by regulations under section 2A,
the authority must arrange for such an inspection to be carried out.

3 In subsection (2)—
a omit the “or” at the end of paragraph (a), and

b after that paragraph insert—

aa in the case of qualifying residential premises, that the premises may not meet the requirements specified by regulations under section 2A, or

.

4 After subsection (5) insert—

5A Regulations made under subsection (4) by the Secretary of State may also make provision about the manner of assessing whether qualifying residential premises meet the requirements specified by regulations under section 2A.

5 In subsection (6)—
a omit the “or” at the end of paragraph (a), and

b after that paragraph insert—

aa that any qualifying residential premises in their district fail to meet the requirements specified by regulations under section 2A, or

.

6 In the heading, omit ~~“to see whether category 1 or 2 hazards exist”~~.

4
1 Section 5 (general duty to take enforcement action) is amended as follows.

2 For subsection (1) substitute—

1 If a local housing authority consider that—
a a category 1 hazard exists on any residential premises, or

b any qualifying residential premises fail to meet a type 1 requirement,
the authority must take the appropriate enforcement action in relation to the hazard or failure.

3 In subsection (2)(c), for ~~“a hazard”~~ substitute “an”.

4 In subsections (3) to (6), after “hazard” (in each place) insert “or failure”.

5 In the heading, after “hazards” insert “and type 1 requirements”.

5 In the heading to section 6 (how duty under section 5 operates in certain cases), omit ~~“Category 1 hazards”~~.
6 After section 6 insert—

1 This section applies where—
a a local housing authority is required by section 5(1) to take the appropriate enforcement action in relation to—
i the existence of a category 1 hazard on qualifying residential premises other than the common parts of a building containing one or more flats, or

ii a failure by qualifying residential premises other than the common parts of a building containing one or more flats to meet a type 1 requirement, and

b in the opinion of the local housing authority it would have been reasonably practicable for the responsible person to secure the removal of the hazard or the meeting of the requirement.

2 When first taking that action, the local housing authority may also impose on the responsible person a financial penalty under this section in relation to the hazard or failure.

3 In subsections (1) and (2), “the responsible person” is the person on whom an improvement notice may be served in accordance with paragraphs A1 to 4 of Schedule 1 in relation to the hazard or failure.

4 For the purposes of subsection (3)—
a it is to be assumed that serving such a notice in relation to the hazard or failure is a course of action available to the authority, and

b any reference in paragraphs A1 to 4 of Schedule 1 to “the specified premises” is, in relation to the imposition of a financial penalty under this section, to be read as a reference to the premises specified in the final notice in accordance with paragraph 8(c) of Schedule A1.

5 In subsection (4)(b), “final notice” has the meaning given by paragraph 6 of Schedule A1.

6 The amount of the penalty is to be determined by the authority but must not be more than £7,000.

7 A penalty under this section may relate to—
a more than one category 1 hazard on the same premises,

b more than one failure to meet type 1 requirements by the same premises, or

c any combination of such hazards or failures on or by the same premises.

8 The Secretary of State may by regulations amend the amount specified in subsection (6) to reflect changes in the value of money.

9 Schedule A1 makes provision about—
a the procedure for imposing a financial penalty under this section,

b appeals against financial penalties under this section,

c enforcement of financial penalties under this section, and

d how local housing authorities are to deal with the proceeds of financial penalties under this section.

7
1 Section 7 (powers to take enforcement action) is amended as follows.

2 In subsection (1), for ~~“that a category 2 hazard exists on residential premises”~~ substitute
that—
a a category 2 hazard exists on residential premises, or

b qualifying residential premises fail to meet a type 2 requirement.

.

3 In subsection (2)(c), for ~~“a hazard”~~ substitute “an”.

4 In subsection (3)—
a after “hazard” (in the first place) insert “or failure to meet a type 2 requirement”, and

b after “hazard” (in the second place) insert “or failure”.

5 In the heading, after “hazards” insert “and type 2 requirements”.

8 In section 8 (reasons for decision to take enforcement action), in subsection (5)(a), omit ~~“hazard”~~.
9
1 Section 9 (guidance about inspections and enforcement action) is amended as follows.

2 In subsection (1)(b), omit ~~“hazard”~~.

3 After that subsection insert—

1A The Secretary of State may give guidance to local housing authorities in England about exercising their functions under this Chapter in relation to—
a assessing whether qualifying residential premises meet the requirements specified by regulations under section 2A, or

b financial penalties.

10 In the heading of Chapter 2 of Part 1 (improvement notices, prohibition orders and hazard awareness notices), omit ~~“hazard”~~.
11
1 Section 11 (improvement notices relating to category 1 hazards: duty of authority to serve notice) is amended as follows.

2 For subsection (1) substitute—

1 If—
a the local housing authority are satisfied that—
i a category 1 hazard exists on any residential premises, or

ii any qualifying residential premises fail to meet a type 1 requirement, and

b no management order is in force in relation to the premises under Chapter 1 or 2 of Part 4,
serving an improvement notice under this section in respect of the hazard or failure is a course of action available to the authority in relation to the hazard or failure for the purposes of section 5 (category 1 hazards and type 1 requirements: general duty to take enforcement action).

3 In subsection (2), after “hazard” insert “or failure”.

4 In subsection (3)(a), after “exists” insert “, or which fail to meet the requirement,”.

5 In subsection (4)—
a after “exists,” insert “or which fail to meet the requirement,”, and

b in paragraph (a), after “hazard” insert “or failure”.

6 In subsection (5)(a), for the words from “that” to “but” substitute
that—
i if the notice relates to a hazard, the hazard ceases to be a category 1 hazard;

ii if the notice relates to a failure by premises to meet a type 1 requirement, the premises meet the requirement; but

.

7 In subsection (6), for the words from “to” to the end substitute
to—
a more than one category 1 hazard on the same premises or in the same building containing one or more flats,

b more than one failure to meet type 1 requirements by the same premises or the same building containing one or more flats, or

c any combination of such hazards and failures—
i on or by the same premises, or

ii in or by the same building containing one or more flats.

8 In subsection (8)—
a after “hazard” (in the first place) insert “or failure”, and

b after “hazard” (in the second place) insert “or secure that the premises meet the requirement”.

9 In the heading, after “hazards” insert “and type 1 requirements”.

12
1 Section 12 (improvement notices relating to category 2 hazards: power of authority to serve notice) is amended as follows.

2 For subsection (1) substitute—

1 If—
a the local housing authority are satisfied that—
i a category 2 hazard exists on any residential premises, or

ii any qualifying residential premises fail to meet a type 2 requirement, and

b no management order is in force in relation to the premises under Chapter 1 or 2 of Part 4,
the authority may serve an improvement notice under this section in respect of the hazard or failure.

3 In subsection (2), after “hazard” insert “or failure”.

4 In subsection (4), for the words from “to” to the end substitute
to—
a more than one category 2 hazard on the same premises or in the same building containing one or more flats,

b more than one failure to meet type 2 requirements by the same premises or the same building containing one or more flats, or

c any combination of such hazards and failures—
i on or by the same premises, or

ii in or by the same building containing one or more flats.

5 In the heading, after “hazards” insert “and type 2 requirements”.

13
1 Section 13 (contents of improvement notices) is amended as follows.

2 In subsection (2)—
a after “hazard” (in each place) insert “or failure”,

b after “hazards” insert “or failures”, and

c in paragraph (b), after “exists” insert “or to which it relates”.

3 In subsection (5), after “hazard” insert “or failure”.

14 In section 16 (3) (revocation and variation of improvement notices)—
a after “hazards” (in the first place) insert “or failures (or a combination of hazards and failures)”, and

b in paragraph (a), after “hazards” insert “or failures”.

15
1 Section 19 (change in person liable to comply with improvement notice) is amended as follows.

2 For subsection (2) substitute—

2 In subsection (1), the reference to a person ceasing to be a “person of the relevant category”—
a in the case of an improvement notice served on a landlord or superior landlord under paragraph A1(3) of Schedule 1, is a reference to the person ceasing to hold the estate in the premises by virtue of which the person was the landlord or superior landlord, and

b in any other case, is a reference to the person ceasing to fall within the description of person (such as, for example, the holder of a licence under Part 2 or 3 or the person managing a dwelling) by reference to which the notice was served on the person.

3 In subsection (7), for ~~“or (9)”~~ substitute “, (9) or (10)”.

4 After subsection (9) insert—

10 If—
a the original recipient was served as a landlord or superior landlord under paragraph A1(3) of Schedule 1, and

b the original recipient ceases as from the changeover date to be a person of the relevant category as a result of ceasing to hold the estate in the premises by virtue of which the person was the landlord or superior landlord,
the new holder of the estate or, if the estate has ceased to exist, the reversioner, is the “liable person”.

16
1 In section 20 (prohibition orders relating to category 1 hazards: duty of authority to make order) is amended as follows.

2 For subsection (1) substitute—

1 If—
a the local housing authority are satisfied that—
i a category 1 hazard exists on any residential premises, or

ii any qualifying residential premises fail to meet a type 1 requirement, and

b no management order is in force in relation to the premises under Chapter 1 or 2 of Part 4,
making a prohibition order under this section in respect of the hazard or failure is a course of action available to the authority in relation to the hazard or failure for the purposes of section 5 (category 1 hazards and type 1 requirements: general duty to take enforcement action).

3 In subsection (3)—
a in paragraph (a), after “exists” insert “, or which fail to meet the requirement,”, and

b for paragraph (b) substitute—

b if those premises are—
i one or more flats, or

ii accommodation falling within paragraph (e) of the definition of “residential premises” in section 1(4) (homelessness) that is not a dwelling, HMO or flat,
it may prohibit the use of the building containing the flat or flats or accommodation (or any part of the building) or any external common parts;

.

4 In subsection (4)—
a after “exists,” insert “or which fail to meet the requirement,”, and

b in paragraph (a), after “hazard” insert “or failure”.

5 In subsection (5), for the words from “to” to the end substitute
to—
a more than one category 1 hazard on the same premises or in the same building containing one or more flats,

b more than one failure to meet type 1 requirements by the same premises or the same building containing one or more flats, or

c any combination of such hazards and failures—
i on or by the same premises, or

ii in or by the same building containing one or more flats.

6 In the heading, after “hazards” insert “and type 1 requirements”.

17
1 Section 21 (prohibition orders relating to category 2 hazards: power of authority to make order) is amended as follows.

2 For subsection (1) substitute—

1 If—
a the local housing authority are satisfied that—
i a category 2 hazard exists on any residential premises, or

ii any qualifying residential premises fail to meet a type 2 requirement, and

b no management order is in force in relation to the premises under Chapter 1 or 2 of Part 4,
the authority may make a prohibition order under this section in respect of the hazard or failure.

3 In subsection (4), for the words from “to” to the end substitute “to—

a more than one category 2 hazard on the same premises or in the same building containing one or more flats,

b more than one failure to meet type 2 requirements by the same premises or the same building containing one or more flats, or

c any combination of such hazards and failures—
i on or by the same premises, or

ii in or by the same building containing one or more flats.

4 In the heading, after “hazards” insert “and type 2 requirements”.

18
1 Section 22 (contents of prohibition orders) is amended as follows.

2 In subsection (2)—
a after “hazard” (in each place) insert “or failure”,

b after “hazards” insert “or failures”, and

c in paragraph (b), after “exists” insert “or to which it relates”.

3 In subsection (3)(b), after “hazards” insert “, or failure or failures,”.

19
1 Section 25 (revocation and variation of prohibition orders) is amended as follows.

2 In subsection (1), for the words from “that” to the end substitute
that—
a in the case of an order made in respect of a hazard, the hazard does not then exist on the residential premises specified in the order in accordance with section 22(2)(b), and

b in the case of an order made in respect of a failure by premises so specified to meet a requirement specified by regulations under section 2A, the premises then meet the requirement.

3 In subsection (3)—
a after “hazards” (in the first place) insert “or failures (or a combination of hazards and failures)”, and

b in paragraph (a), after “hazards” insert “or failures”.

20 In the italic heading before section 28, omit ~~“Hazard”~~.
21
1 Section 28 (hazard awareness notices relating to category 1 hazards: duty of authority to serve notice) is amended as follows.

2 For subsections (1) and (2) substitute—

1 If—
a the local housing authority are satisfied that—
i a category 1 hazard exists on any residential premises, or

ii any qualifying residential premises fail to meet a type 1 requirement, and

b no management order is in force in relation to the premises under Chapter 1 or 2 of Part 4,
serving an awareness notice under this section in respect of the hazard or failure is a course of action available to the authority in relation to the hazard or failure for the purposes of section 5 (category 1 hazards and type 1 requirements: general duty to take enforcement action).

2 An awareness notice under this section is a notice advising the person on whom it is served of—
a the existence of a category 1 hazard on, or

b a failure to meet a type 1 requirement by,
the residential premises concerned which arises as a result of a deficiency on the premises in respect of which the notice is served.

3 In subsection (3)(a), after “exists” insert “, or which fail to meet the requirement,”.

4 In subsection (4)—
a after “exists,” insert “or which fail to meet the requirement,”, and

b in paragraph (a), after “hazard” insert “or failure”.

5 In subsection (5), for the words from “to” to the end substitute
to—
a more than one category 1 hazard on the same premises or in the same building containing one or more flats,

b more than one failure to meet type 1 requirements by the same premises or the same building containing one or more flats, or

c any combination of such hazards and failures—
i on or by the same premises, or

ii in or by the same building containing one or more flats.

6 In subsection (6)—
a after “hazard” (in each place) insert “or failure”,

b after “hazards” insert “or failures”, and

c in paragraph (a), after “exists” insert “or to which it relates”.

7 In subsection (8), for ~~“a hazard”~~ substitute “an”.

8 At the end insert—

9 A notice under this section in respect of residential premises in Wales is to be known as a “hazard awareness notice”.

9 In the heading—
a omit ~~“Hazard”~~, and

b after “category 1 hazards” insert “and type 1 requirements”.

22
1 Section 29 (hazard awareness notices relating to category 2 hazards: power of authority to serve notice) is amended as follows.

2 For subsections (1) and (2) substitute—

1 If—
a the local housing authority are satisfied that—
i a category 2 hazard exists on any residential premises, or

ii any qualifying residential premises fail to meet a type 2 requirement, and

b no management order is in force in relation to the premises under Chapter 1 or 2 of Part 4,
the authority may serve an awareness notice under this section in respect of the hazard or failure.

2 An awareness notice under this section is a notice advising the person on whom it is served of—
a the existence of a category 2 hazard on, or

b a failure to meet a type 2 requirement by,
the residential premises concerned which arises as a result of a deficiency on the premises in respect of which the notice is served.

3 In subsection (3), for ~~“a hazard”~~ substitute “an”.

4 In subsection (4), for the words from “to” to the end substitute
to—
a more than one category 2 hazard on the same premises or in the same building containing one or more flats,

b more than one failure to meet type 2 requirements by the same premises or the same building containing one or more flats, or

c any combination of such hazards and failures—
i on or by the same premises, or

ii in or by the same building containing one or more flats.

5 In subsection (5)—
a after “hazard” (in each place) insert “or failure”,

b after “hazards” insert “or failures”, and

c in paragraph (a), after “exists” insert “or to which it relates”.

6 In subsection (8), for ~~“a hazard”~~ substitute “an”.

7 At the end insert—

9 A notice under this section in respect of residential premises in Wales is to be known as a “hazard awareness notice”.

8 In the heading—
a omit ~~“Hazard”~~, and

b after “category 2 hazards” insert “and type 2 requirements”.

23
1 Section 30 (offence of failing to comply with improvement notice) is amended as follows.

2 In subsection (2), after “hazard” insert “or failure”.

3 In subsection (3), omit ~~“not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale”~~.

4 In subsection (5), after “hazard” insert “or failure”.

24 In section 32 (offence of failing to comply with prohibition order etc), in subsection (2)(a), omit ~~“not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale”~~.
25 In section 35 (power of court to order occupier or owner to allow action to be taken on premises), for the definition of “relevant person” in subsection (8) substitute—
“relevant person”, in relation to any premises, means—

a person who is an owner of the premises;

a person having control of or managing the premises;

the holder of any licence under Part 2 or 3 in respect of the premises;

in the case of qualifying residential premises which are let under a relevant tenancy, the landlord under the tenancy and any person who is a superior landlord in relation to the tenancy.
26
1 Section 40 (emergency remedial action) is amended as follows.

2 For subsection (1) substitute—

1 If—
a the local housing authority are satisfied that—
i a category 1 hazard exists on any residential premises, or

ii any qualifying residential premises fail to meet a type 1 requirement, and

b they are further satisfied that the hazard or failure involves an imminent risk of serious harm to the health or safety of any of the occupiers of those or any other residential premises, and

c no management order is in force under Chapter 1 or 2 of Part 4 in relation to the premises mentioned in paragraph (a)(i) or (ii),
the taking by the authority of emergency remedial action under this section in respect of the hazard or failure is a course of action available to the authority in relation to the hazard or failure for the purposes of section 5 (category 1 hazards and type 1 requirements: general duty to take enforcement action).

3 In subsection (2), after “hazard” insert “or failure”.

4 In subsection (4), for the words from “of” to the end substitute
of—
a more than one category 1 hazard on the same premises or in the same building containing one or more flats,

b more than one failure to meet type 1 requirements by the same premises or the same building containing one or more flats, or

c any combination of such hazards and failures—
i on or by the same premises, or

ii in or by the same building containing one or more flats.

27 In section 41 (notice of emergency remedial action), in subsection (2)—
a after “hazard” (in each place) insert “or failure”,

b after “hazards” insert “or failures”, and

c in paragraph (a), after “exists” insert “or to which it relates”.

28 In section 43 (emergency prohibition orders), for subsection (1) substitute—

1 If—
a the local housing authority are satisfied that—
i a category 1 hazard exists on any residential premises, or

ii any qualifying residential premises fail to meet a type 1 requirement, and

b they are further satisfied that the hazard or failure involves an imminent risk of serious harm to the health or safety of any of the occupiers of those or any other residential premises, and

c no management order is in force under Chapter 1 or 2 of Part 4 in relation to the premises mentioned in paragraph (a)(i) or (ii),
making an emergency prohibition order under this section in respect of the hazard or failure is a course of action available to the authority in relation to the hazard or failure for the purposes of section 5 (category 1 hazards and type 1 requirements: general duty to take enforcement action).

29 In section 44 (contents of emergency prohibition orders), in subsection (2)—
a after “hazard” (in each place) insert “or failure”,

b after “hazards” insert “or failures”, and

c in paragraph (a), after “exists” insert “or to which it relates”.

30 In section 49 (power to charge for certain enforcement action)—
a in subsection (1)(c), for ~~“a hazard”~~ substitute “an”, and

b in subsection (2), for ~~“a hazard”~~ substitute “an”.

31 In section 50 (recovery of charge under section 49), in subsection (2)(b), for ~~“a hazard”~~ substitute “an”.
32 In section 54 (index of defined expressions: Part 1)—
a at the appropriate places insert—

Qualifying residential premises Section 2B(1)

;

Relevant tenancy Section 2B(2)

;

Social housing Section 2B(2)

;

Supported exempt accommodation Section 2B(2)

;

Type 1 requirement Section 2A(3)(a)

;

Type 2 requirement Section 2A(3)(b)

, and

b in the entry for “Hazard awareness notice”, in the first column, omit ~~“Hazard”~~ (and, accordingly, move the entry to the appropriate place).

33
1 Section 250 (orders and regulations) is amended as follows.

2 After subsection (2) insert—

2A The power under subsection (2)(b) includes power—
a to provide for regulations under sections 2A and 2B(3) to apply (with or without modifications) in relation to tenancies or licences entered into before the date on which the regulations come into force;

b for regulations under section 2B(3)(b) to provide for Part 1 to apply in relation to licences with such modifications as may be specified in the regulations.

3 In subsection (6), before paragraph (a) insert—

za regulations under sections 2A and 2B(3),

.

34 Before Schedule 1 insert—

Schedule A1

Procedure and appeals relating to financial penalties under section 6A

Section 6A

Notice of intent
1 Before imposing a financial penalty on a person under section 6A a local housing authority must give the person notice of the authority’s proposal to do so (a “notice of intent”).
2 The notice of intent must be given before the end of the period of 6 months beginning with the first day on which the authority has evidence sufficient to require it to take the appropriate enforcement action under section 5(1) in relation to—
a the existence of the category 1 hazard, or

b the failure to meet the type 1 requirement.

3 The notice of intent must set out—
a the date on which the notice of intent is given,

b the amount of the proposed financial penalty,

c the reasons for proposing to impose the penalty,

d information about the right to make representations under paragraph 4.

4 Right to make representations

1 A person who is given a notice of intent may make written representations to the authority about the proposal to impose a financial penalty.

2 Any representations must be made within the period of 28 days beginning with the day after the day on which the notice of intent was given (“the period for representations”).

Final notice
5 After the end of the period for representations the local housing authority must—
a decide whether to impose a financial penalty on the person, and

b if it decides to do so, decide the amount of the penalty.

6 If the local housing authority decides to impose a financial penalty on the person, it must give a notice to the person (a “final notice”) imposing that penalty.
7 The final notice must require the penalty to be paid within the period of 28 days beginning with the day after that on which the notice was given.
8 The final notice must set out—
a the date on which the final notice is given,

b the amount of the financial penalty,

c the premises—
i on which the authority considers a category 1 hazard exists;

ii which the authority considers fail to meet a type 1 requirement,

d the reasons for imposing the penalty,

e information about how to the pay the penalty,

f the period for payment of the penalty,

g information about rights of appeal, and

h the consequences of failure to comply with the notice.

9 Withdrawal or amendment of notice

1 A local housing authority may at any time—
a withdraw a notice of intent or final notice, or

b reduce an amount specified in a notice of intent or final notice.

2 The power in sub-paragraph (1) is to be exercised by giving notice in writing to the person to whom the notice was given.

10 Appeals

1 A person to whom a final notice is given may appeal to the First-tier Tribunal against—
a the decision to impose the penalty, or

b the amount of the penalty.

2 An appeal under this paragraph must be brought within the period of 28 days beginning with the day after that on which the final notice is given to the person.

3 If a person appeals under this paragraph, the final notice is suspended until the appeal is finally determined, withdrawn or abandoned.

4 An appeal under this paragraph—
a is to be a re-hearing of the authority’s decision, but

b may be determined having regard to matters of which the authority was unaware.

5 On an appeal under this paragraph the First-tier Tribunal may quash, confirm or vary the final notice.

6 The final notice may not be varied under sub-paragraph (5) so as to impose a financial penalty of more than the local housing authority could have imposed.

11 Recovery of financial penalty

1 This paragraph applies if a person fails to pay the whole or any part of a financial penalty which, in accordance with this Schedule, the person is liable to pay.

2 The local housing authority which imposed the financial penalty may recover the penalty, or part of it, on the order of the county court as if it were payable under an order of that court.

3 In proceedings before the county court for the recovery of a financial penalty or part of a financial penalty, a certificate which is—
a signed by the chief finance officer of the authority which imposed the financial penalty, and

b states that the amount due has not been received by a date specified in the certificate,
is conclusive evidence of that fact.

4 A certificate to that effect and purporting to be so signed is to be treated as being so signed unless the contrary is proved.

5 In this paragraph “chief finance officer” has the same meaning as in section 5 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989.

Proceeds of financial penalties
12 Where a local housing authority imposes a financial penalty under section 6A, it may apply the proceeds towards meeting the costs and expenses (whether administrative or legal) incurred in, or associated with, carrying out any of its enforcement functions under Part 1 of this Act, the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 or otherwise in relation to the private rented sector.
13 Any proceeds of a financial penalty imposed under section 6A which are not applied in accordance with paragraph 12 must be paid to the Secretary of State.
14
1 In paragraph 12, the reference to enforcement functions “in relation to the private rented sector” means enforcement functions relating to—
a residential premises in England that are let, or intended to be let, under a tenancy,

b the common parts of such premises,

c the activities of a landlord under a tenancy of residential premises in England,

d the activities of a superior landlord in relation to such a tenancy,

e the activities of a person carrying on English letting agency work within the meaning of section 54 of the Housing and Planning Act 2016 in relation to such premises, or

f the activities of a person carrying on English property management work within the meaning of section 55 of the Housing and Planning Act 2016 in relation to such premises.

2 For the purposes of this paragraph “residential premises” does not include social housing.

3 For the purposes of this paragraph “tenancy” includes a licence to occupy.
35
1 Schedule 1 (procedure and appeals relating to improvement notices) is amended as follows.
2 Before paragraph 1 insert—

A1 Service of improvement notices: qualifying residential premises which fail to meet type 1 and 2 requirements

1 This paragraph applies instead of paragraphs 1 to 3 where—
a the specified premises are qualifying residential premises other than—
i homelessness accommodation (see paragraph B1), or

ii common parts (see paragraph 4), and

b an improvement notice relates to a failure by the premises to meet a requirement specified by regulations under section 2A (whether or not the notice also relates to a category 1 or 2 hazard).

2 Sub-paragraph (3) applies in relation to the premises if they are—
a a dwelling or HMO let under a relevant tenancy,

b an HMO where at least one unit of accommodation which forms part of the HMO is let under a relevant tenancy, or

c a building or a part of a building constructed or adapted for use as a house in multiple occupation if—
i it is for the time being only occupied by persons who form a single household, and

ii the accommodation which those persons occupy is let under a relevant tenancy.

3 The notice must be served on the landlord under the tenancy unless—
a the tenancy is a sub-tenancy, in which case the notice may instead be served on a superior landlord in relation to the tenancy if, in the opinion of the local housing authority, the superior landlord ought to take the action specified in the notice;

b the premises are a dwelling which is licensed under Part 3 of this Act, or an HMO which is licensed under Part 2 or 3 of this Act, in which case the notice may instead be served on the holder of the licence if, in the opinion of the local housing authority, the holder ought to take the action specified in the notice.

4 Where sub-paragraph(3) does not apply in relation to the premises and the premises are supported exempt accommodation, the notice must be served on the authority or body which provides the accommodation.

5 In this paragraph—

“common parts” means common parts that are qualifying residential premises by virtue of section 2B(1)(d);

“homelessness accommodation” means accommodation in England—

the availability of which is secured under Part 7 of the Housing Act 1996 (homelessness), and

which is residential premises, whether by virtue of paragraph (e) or another paragraph of section 1(4).

B1 Service of improvement notices: homelessness accommodation (whether or not it is qualifying residential premises)

1 This paragraph applies where the specified premises in the case of an improvement notice are homelessness accommodation (which has the same meaning here as in paragraph A1).

2 The notice must be served on any person—
a who has an estate or interest in the premises, and

b who, in the opinion of the local housing authority, ought to take the action specified in the notice.

3 This paragraph applies instead of paragraph 1, 2 or 3 (in a case where that paragraph would otherwise apply to the improvement notice).
3 In paragraph 5(1), for ~~“1 to”~~ substitute “A1 to”.

4 In paragraph 12—
a in sub-paragraph (1), after “hazard” insert “or failure”, and

b in sub-paragraph (2)(b), for ~~“a hazard”~~ substitute “an”.

5 In paragraph 17, after “hazard” (in each place) insert “or failure”.
36
1 Schedule 2 (procedure and appeals relating to prohibition orders) is amended as follows.

2 In paragraph 1—
a after sub-paragraph (2) insert—

2A Where the specified premises are qualifying residential premises which—
a are a dwelling or HMO let under a relevant tenancy,

b are an HMO where at least one unit of accommodation which forms part of the HMO is let on a relevant tenancy, or

c are a building or a part of a building constructed or adapted for use as a house in multiple occupation—
i that is for the time being only occupied by persons who form a single household, and

ii where the accommodation which those persons occupy is let under a relevant tenancy,

the authority must also serve copies of the order on any other person who, to their knowledge, is the landlord under the tenancy or a superior landlord in relation to the tenancy.

2B Where—
a sub-paragraph (2A) does not apply in relation to the specified premises,

b the specified premises consist of or include the whole or any part of a building containing homelessness accommodation, and

c the person providing the homelessness accommodation—
i is a tenant of that accommodation under a tenancy which has an unexpired term of 3 years or less (the “short tenancy”), and

ii accordingly is not an owner in relation to the homelessness accommodation (see section 262(7)(b)),

the authority must also serve copies of the order on any person who, to their knowledge, is a tenant under the short tenancy, a landlord under the short tenancy, or a superior landlord in relation to the short tenancy, and who is not otherwise required to be served with a copy of the notice under this paragraph.

2C In sub-paragraph (2B) “homelessness accommodation” means accommodation in England—
a the availability of which is secured under Part 7 of the Housing Act 1996 (homelessness), and

b which is residential premises, whether by virtue of paragraph (e) or another paragraph of section 1(4).

, and

b in sub-paragraph (3), for ~~“sub-paragraph (2)”~~ substitute “this paragraph”.

3 In paragraph 2—
a for sub-paragraph (1) substitute—

1 This paragraph applies to a prohibition order where the specified premises consist of or include—
a the whole or any part of a building containing—
i one or more flats, or

ii accommodation falling within paragraph (e) of the definition of “residential premises” in section 1(4) (homelessness) that is not a dwelling, HMO or flat, or

b any common parts of such a building.

b after sub-paragraph (2) insert—

2A Where the specified premises consist of or include qualifying residential premises which—
a are a dwelling or HMO let under a relevant tenancy,

b are an HMO where at least one unit of accommodation which forms part of the HMO is let on a relevant tenancy, or

c are a building or a part of a building constructed or adapted for use as a house in multiple occupation—
i that is for the time being only occupied by persons who form a single household, and

ii where the accommodation which those persons occupy is let under a relevant tenancy,

the authority must also serve copies of the order on any other person who, to their knowledge, is the landlord under the tenancy or a superior landlord in relation to the tenancy.

2B Where—
a sub-paragraph (2A) does not apply in relation to the specified premises,

b the specified premises consist of or include the whole or any part of a building containing homelessness accommodation, and

c the person providing the homelessness accommodation—
i is a tenant of that accommodation under a tenancy which has an unexpired term of 3 years or less (the “short tenancy”), and

ii accordingly is not an owner in relation to the homelessness accommodation (see section 262(7)(b)),

the authority must also serve copies of the order on any person who, to their knowledge, is a tenant under the short tenancy, a landlord under the short tenancy, or a superior landlord in relation to the short tenancy, and who is not otherwise required to be served with a copy of the notice under this paragraph.

2C In sub-paragraph (2B) “homelessness accommodation” means accommodation in England—
a the availability of which is secured under Part 7 of the Housing Act 1996 (homelessness), and

b which is residential premises, whether by virtue of paragraph (e) or another paragraph of section 1(4).

,

c in sub-paragraph (3), after “(2)” insert “, (2A) or (2B)”, and

d in sub-paragraph (4), for ~~“sub-paragraph (2) or (3)”~~ substitute “this paragraph”.

4 In paragraph 8—
a in sub-paragraph (1), after “hazard” insert “or failure”, and

b in sub-paragraph (2)(b), for ~~“a hazard”~~ substitute “an”.

5 In paragraph 12, after “hazard” (in each place) insert “or failure”.

6 In paragraph 16(1)—
a omit the “or” at the end of paragraph (b), and

b at the end of paragraph (c) insert
, or
d in the case of qualifying residential premises which—
i are a dwelling or HMO let under a relevant tenancy,

ii are an HMO where at least one unit of accommodation which forms part of the HMO is let on a relevant tenancy, or

iii are a building or a part of a building constructed or adapted for use as a house in multiple occupation that is for the time being only occupied by persons who form a single household and where the accommodation which those persons occupy is let under a relevant tenancy,
any person on whom copies of the prohibition order are required to be served by paragraph 1(2A) or 2(2A).

37
1 Schedule 3 (improvement notices: enforcement action by local housing authorities) is amended as follows.

2 In paragraph 3, after “hazard” (in each place) insert “or failure”.

3 In paragraph 4, after “hazard” (in both places) insert “or failure”.
Amends Housing Act 2004
The Housing Act 2004 is amended as follows.
Section 11 insertion, 1 deletion
Amends Housing Act 2004 — see section 1
1 Section 1 (new system for assessing housing conditions and enforcing housing standards) is amended as follows.

2 In subsection (3)(a), omit ~~“hazard”~~.

3 After subsection (8) insert—

9 But unoccupied HMO accommodation is “qualifying residential premises” for the purposes of this Part only to the extent provided for by section 2B(1)(c).
Section 44 insertions, 1 deletion
Amends Housing Act 2004 — see section 4
1 Section 4 (inspections by local housing authorities) is amended as follows.

2 For subsection (1) substitute—

1 If a local housing authority consider as a result of any matters of which they have become aware in carrying out their duty under section 3, or for any other reason, that it would be appropriate for any residential premises in their district to be inspected with a view to determining—
a whether any category 1 or 2 hazard exists on the premises, or

b in the case of qualifying residential premises, whether the premises meet the requirements specified by regulations under section 2A,
the authority must arrange for such an inspection to be carried out.

3 In subsection (2)—
a omit the “or” at the end of paragraph (a), and

b after that paragraph insert—

aa in the case of qualifying residential premises, that the premises may not meet the requirements specified by regulations under section 2A, or

.

4 After subsection (5) insert—

5A Regulations made under subsection (4) by the Secretary of State may also make provision about the manner of assessing whether qualifying residential premises meet the requirements specified by regulations under section 2A.

5 In subsection (6)—
a omit the “or” at the end of paragraph (a), and

b after that paragraph insert—

aa that any qualifying residential premises in their district fail to meet the requirements specified by regulations under section 2A, or

.

6 In the heading, omit ~~“to see whether category 1 or 2 hazards exist”~~.
Section 54 insertions, 1 deletion
Amends Housing Act 2004 — see section 5
1 Section 5 (general duty to take enforcement action) is amended as follows.

2 For subsection (1) substitute—

1 If a local housing authority consider that—
a a category 1 hazard exists on any residential premises, or

b any qualifying residential premises fail to meet a type 1 requirement,
the authority must take the appropriate enforcement action in relation to the hazard or failure.

3 In subsection (2)(c), for ~~“a hazard”~~ substitute “an”.

4 In subsections (3) to (6), after “hazard” (in each place) insert “or failure”.

5 In the heading, after “hazards” insert “and type 1 requirements”.
Section 61 insertion
Amends Housing Act 2004 — see section 6
After section 6 insert—

1 This section applies where—
a a local housing authority is required by section 5(1) to take the appropriate enforcement action in relation to—
i the existence of a category 1 hazard on qualifying residential premises other than the common parts of a building containing one or more flats, or

ii a failure by qualifying residential premises other than the common parts of a building containing one or more flats to meet a type 1 requirement, and

b in the opinion of the local housing authority it would have been reasonably practicable for the responsible person to secure the removal of the hazard or the meeting of the requirement.

2 When first taking that action, the local housing authority may also impose on the responsible person a financial penalty under this section in relation to the hazard or failure.

3 In subsections (1) and (2), “the responsible person” is the person on whom an improvement notice may be served in accordance with paragraphs A1 to 4 of Schedule 1 in relation to the hazard or failure.

4 For the purposes of subsection (3)—
a it is to be assumed that serving such a notice in relation to the hazard or failure is a course of action available to the authority, and

b any reference in paragraphs A1 to 4 of Schedule 1 to “the specified premises” is, in relation to the imposition of a financial penalty under this section, to be read as a reference to the premises specified in the final notice in accordance with paragraph 8(c) of Schedule A1.

5 In subsection (4)(b), “final notice” has the meaning given by paragraph 6 of Schedule A1.

6 The amount of the penalty is to be determined by the authority but must not be more than £7,000.

7 A penalty under this section may relate to—
a more than one category 1 hazard on the same premises,

b more than one failure to meet type 1 requirements by the same premises, or

c any combination of such hazards or failures on or by the same premises.

8 The Secretary of State may by regulations amend the amount specified in subsection (6) to reflect changes in the value of money.

9 Schedule A1 makes provision about—
a the procedure for imposing a financial penalty under this section,

b appeals against financial penalties under this section,

c enforcement of financial penalties under this section, and

d how local housing authorities are to deal with the proceeds of financial penalties under this section.
Section 6A1 insertion
Amends Housing Act 2004 — see section 6A
Before Schedule 1 insert—

Schedule A1

Procedure and appeals relating to financial penalties under section 6A

Section 6A

1 Before imposing a financial penalty on a person under section 6A a local housing authority must give the person notice of the authority’s proposal to do so (a “notice of intent”).
2 The notice of intent must be given before the end of the period of 6 months beginning with the first day on which the authority has evidence sufficient to require it to take the appropriate enforcement action under section 5(1) in relation to—
a the existence of the category 1 hazard, or

b the failure to meet the type 1 requirement.

3 The notice of intent must set out—
a the date on which the notice of intent is given,

b the amount of the proposed financial penalty,

c the reasons for proposing to impose the penalty,

d information about the right to make representations under paragraph 4.

4 Right to make representations

1 A person who is given a notice of intent may make written representations to the authority about the proposal to impose a financial penalty.

2 Any representations must be made within the period of 28 days beginning with the day after the day on which the notice of intent was given (“the period for representations”).

Final notice
5 After the end of the period for representations the local housing authority must—
a decide whether to impose a financial penalty on the person, and

b if it decides to do so, decide the amount of the penalty.

6 If the local housing authority decides to impose a financial penalty on the person, it must give a notice to the person (a “final notice”) imposing that penalty.
7 The final notice must require the penalty to be paid within the period of 28 days beginning with the day after that on which the notice was given.
8 The final notice must set out—
a the date on which the final notice is given,

b the amount of the financial penalty,

c the premises—
i on which the authority considers a category 1 hazard exists;

ii which the authority considers fail to meet a type 1 requirement,

d the reasons for imposing the penalty,

e information about how to the pay the penalty,

f the period for payment of the penalty,

g information about rights of appeal, and

h the consequences of failure to comply with the notice.

9 Withdrawal or amendment of notice

1 A local housing authority may at any time—
a withdraw a notice of intent or final notice, or

b reduce an amount specified in a notice of intent or final notice.

2 The power in sub-paragraph (1) is to be exercised by giving notice in writing to the person to whom the notice was given.

10 Appeals

1 A person to whom a final notice is given may appeal to the First-tier Tribunal against—
a the decision to impose the penalty, or

b the amount of the penalty.

2 An appeal under this paragraph must be brought within the period of 28 days beginning with the day after that on which the final notice is given to the person.

3 If a person appeals under this paragraph, the final notice is suspended until the appeal is finally determined, withdrawn or abandoned.

4 An appeal under this paragraph—
a is to be a re-hearing of the authority’s decision, but

b may be determined having regard to matters of which the authority was unaware.

5 On an appeal under this paragraph the First-tier Tribunal may quash, confirm or vary the final notice.

6 The final notice may not be varied under sub-paragraph (5) so as to impose a financial penalty of more than the local housing authority could have imposed.

11 Recovery of financial penalty

1 This paragraph applies if a person fails to pay the whole or any part of a financial penalty which, in accordance with this Schedule, the person is liable to pay.

2 The local housing authority which imposed the financial penalty may recover the penalty, or part of it, on the order of the county court as if it were payable under an order of that court.

3 In proceedings before the county court for the recovery of a financial penalty or part of a financial penalty, a certificate which is—
a signed by the chief finance officer of the authority which imposed the financial penalty, and

b states that the amount due has not been received by a date specified in the certificate,
is conclusive evidence of that fact.

4 A certificate to that effect and purporting to be so signed is to be treated as being so signed unless the contrary is proved.

5 In this paragraph “chief finance officer” has the same meaning as in section 5 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989.

Proceeds of financial penalties
12 Where a local housing authority imposes a financial penalty under section 6A, it may apply the proceeds towards meeting the costs and expenses (whether administrative or legal) incurred in, or associated with, carrying out any of its enforcement functions under Part 1 of this Act, the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 or otherwise in relation to the private rented sector.
13 Any proceeds of a financial penalty imposed under section 6A which are not applied in accordance with paragraph 12 must be paid to the Secretary of State.
14
1 In paragraph 12, the reference to enforcement functions “in relation to the private rented sector” means enforcement functions relating to—
a residential premises in England that are let, or intended to be let, under a tenancy,

b the common parts of such premises,

c the activities of a landlord under a tenancy of residential premises in England,

d the activities of a superior landlord in relation to such a tenancy,

e the activities of a person carrying on English letting agency work within the meaning of section 54 of the Housing and Planning Act 2016 in relation to such premises, or

f the activities of a person carrying on English property management work within the meaning of section 55 of the Housing and Planning Act 2016 in relation to such premises.

2 For the purposes of this paragraph “residential premises” does not include social housing.

3 For the purposes of this paragraph “tenancy” includes a licence to occupy.
Section 75 insertions, 2 deletions
Amends Housing Act 2004 — see section 7
1 Section 7 (powers to take enforcement action) is amended as follows.

2 In subsection (1), for ~~“that a category 2 hazard exists on residential premises”~~ substitute
that—
a a category 2 hazard exists on residential premises, or

b qualifying residential premises fail to meet a type 2 requirement.

.

3 In subsection (2)(c), for ~~“a hazard”~~ substitute “an”.

4 In subsection (3)—
a after “hazard” (in the first place) insert “or failure to meet a type 2 requirement”, and

b after “hazard” (in the second place) insert “or failure”.

5 In the heading, after “hazards” insert “and type 2 requirements”.
Section 91 insertion, 1 deletion
Amends Housing Act 2004 — see section 9
1 Section 9 (guidance about inspections and enforcement action) is amended as follows.

2 In subsection (1)(b), omit ~~“hazard”~~.

3 After that subsection insert—

1A The Secretary of State may give guidance to local housing authorities in England about exercising their functions under this Chapter in relation to—
a assessing whether qualifying residential premises meet the requirements specified by regulations under section 2A, or

b financial penalties.
Section 1110 insertions
Amends Housing Act 2004 — see section 11
1 Section 11 (improvement notices relating to category 1 hazards: duty of authority to serve notice) is amended as follows.

2 For subsection (1) substitute—

1 If—
a the local housing authority are satisfied that—
i a category 1 hazard exists on any residential premises, or

ii any qualifying residential premises fail to meet a type 1 requirement, and

b no management order is in force in relation to the premises under Chapter 1 or 2 of Part 4,
serving an improvement notice under this section in respect of the hazard or failure is a course of action available to the authority in relation to the hazard or failure for the purposes of section 5 (category 1 hazards and type 1 requirements: general duty to take enforcement action).

3 In subsection (2), after “hazard” insert “or failure”.

4 In subsection (3)(a), after “exists” insert “, or which fail to meet the requirement,”.

5 In subsection (4)—
a after “exists,” insert “or which fail to meet the requirement,”, and

b in paragraph (a), after “hazard” insert “or failure”.

6 In subsection (5)(a), for the words from “that” to “but” substitute
that—
i if the notice relates to a hazard, the hazard ceases to be a category 1 hazard;

ii if the notice relates to a failure by premises to meet a type 1 requirement, the premises meet the requirement; but

.

7 In subsection (6), for the words from “to” to the end substitute
to—
a more than one category 1 hazard on the same premises or in the same building containing one or more flats,

b more than one failure to meet type 1 requirements by the same premises or the same building containing one or more flats, or

c any combination of such hazards and failures—
i on or by the same premises, or

ii in or by the same building containing one or more flats.

8 In subsection (8)—
a after “hazard” (in the first place) insert “or failure”, and

b after “hazard” (in the second place) insert “or secure that the premises meet the requirement”.

9 In the heading, after “hazards” insert “and type 1 requirements”.
Section 124 insertions
Amends Housing Act 2004 — see section 12
1 Section 12 (improvement notices relating to category 2 hazards: power of authority to serve notice) is amended as follows.

2 For subsection (1) substitute—

1 If—
a the local housing authority are satisfied that—
i a category 2 hazard exists on any residential premises, or

ii any qualifying residential premises fail to meet a type 2 requirement, and

b no management order is in force in relation to the premises under Chapter 1 or 2 of Part 4,
the authority may serve an improvement notice under this section in respect of the hazard or failure.

3 In subsection (2), after “hazard” insert “or failure”.

4 In subsection (4), for the words from “to” to the end substitute
to—
a more than one category 2 hazard on the same premises or in the same building containing one or more flats,

b more than one failure to meet type 2 requirements by the same premises or the same building containing one or more flats, or

c any combination of such hazards and failures—
i on or by the same premises, or

ii in or by the same building containing one or more flats.

5 In the heading, after “hazards” insert “and type 2 requirements”.
Section 134 insertions
Amends Housing Act 2004 — see section 13
1 Section 13 (contents of improvement notices) is amended as follows.

2 In subsection (2)—
a after “hazard” (in each place) insert “or failure”,

b after “hazards” insert “or failures”, and

c in paragraph (b), after “exists” insert “or to which it relates”.

3 In subsection (5), after “hazard” insert “or failure”.
Section 193 insertions, 1 deletion
Amends Housing Act 2004 — see section 19
1 Section 19 (change in person liable to comply with improvement notice) is amended as follows.

2 For subsection (2) substitute—

2 In subsection (1), the reference to a person ceasing to be a “person of the relevant category”—
a in the case of an improvement notice served on a landlord or superior landlord under paragraph A1(3) of Schedule 1, is a reference to the person ceasing to hold the estate in the premises by virtue of which the person was the landlord or superior landlord, and

b in any other case, is a reference to the person ceasing to fall within the description of person (such as, for example, the holder of a licence under Part 2 or 3 or the person managing a dwelling) by reference to which the notice was served on the person.

3 In subsection (7), for ~~“or (9)”~~ substitute “, (9) or (10)”.

4 After subsection (9) insert—

10 If—
a the original recipient was served as a landlord or superior landlord under paragraph A1(3) of Schedule 1, and

b the original recipient ceases as from the changeover date to be a person of the relevant category as a result of ceasing to hold the estate in the premises by virtue of which the person was the landlord or superior landlord,
the new holder of the estate or, if the estate has ceased to exist, the reversioner, is the “liable person”.
Section 207 insertions
Amends Housing Act 2004 — see section 20
1 In section 20 (prohibition orders relating to category 1 hazards: duty of authority to make order) is amended as follows.

2 For subsection (1) substitute—

1 If—
a the local housing authority are satisfied that—
i a category 1 hazard exists on any residential premises, or

ii any qualifying residential premises fail to meet a type 1 requirement, and

b no management order is in force in relation to the premises under Chapter 1 or 2 of Part 4,
making a prohibition order under this section in respect of the hazard or failure is a course of action available to the authority in relation to the hazard or failure for the purposes of section 5 (category 1 hazards and type 1 requirements: general duty to take enforcement action).

3 In subsection (3)—
a in paragraph (a), after “exists” insert “, or which fail to meet the requirement,”, and

b for paragraph (b) substitute—

b if those premises are—
i one or more flats, or

ii accommodation falling within paragraph (e) of the definition of “residential premises” in section 1(4) (homelessness) that is not a dwelling, HMO or flat,
it may prohibit the use of the building containing the flat or flats or accommodation (or any part of the building) or any external common parts;

.

4 In subsection (4)—
a after “exists,” insert “or which fail to meet the requirement,”, and

b in paragraph (a), after “hazard” insert “or failure”.

5 In subsection (5), for the words from “to” to the end substitute
to—
a more than one category 1 hazard on the same premises or in the same building containing one or more flats,

b more than one failure to meet type 1 requirements by the same premises or the same building containing one or more flats, or

c any combination of such hazards and failures—
i on or by the same premises, or

ii in or by the same building containing one or more flats.

6 In the heading, after “hazards” insert “and type 1 requirements”.
Section 214 insertions
Amends Housing Act 2004 — see section 21
1 Section 21 (prohibition orders relating to category 2 hazards: power of authority to make order) is amended as follows.

2 For subsection (1) substitute—

1 If—
a the local housing authority are satisfied that—
i a category 2 hazard exists on any residential premises, or

ii any qualifying residential premises fail to meet a type 2 requirement, and

b no management order is in force in relation to the premises under Chapter 1 or 2 of Part 4,
the authority may make a prohibition order under this section in respect of the hazard or failure.

3 In subsection (4), for the words from “to” to the end substitute “to—

a more than one category 2 hazard on the same premises or in the same building containing one or more flats,

b more than one failure to meet type 2 requirements by the same premises or the same building containing one or more flats, or

c any combination of such hazards and failures—
i on or by the same premises, or

ii in or by the same building containing one or more flats.

4 In the heading, after “hazards” insert “and type 2 requirements”.
Section 224 insertions
Amends Housing Act 2004 — see section 22
1 Section 22 (contents of prohibition orders) is amended as follows.

2 In subsection (2)—
a after “hazard” (in each place) insert “or failure”,

b after “hazards” insert “or failures”, and

c in paragraph (b), after “exists” insert “or to which it relates”.

3 In subsection (3)(b), after “hazards” insert “, or failure or failures,”.
Section 253 insertions
Amends Housing Act 2004 — see section 25
1 Section 25 (revocation and variation of prohibition orders) is amended as follows.

2 In subsection (1), for the words from “that” to the end substitute
that—
a in the case of an order made in respect of a hazard, the hazard does not then exist on the residential premises specified in the order in accordance with section 22(2)(b), and

b in the case of an order made in respect of a failure by premises so specified to meet a requirement specified by regulations under section 2A, the premises then meet the requirement.

3 In subsection (3)—
a after “hazards” (in the first place) insert “or failures (or a combination of hazards and failures)”, and

b in paragraph (a), after “hazards” insert “or failures”.
Section 2811 insertions, 2 deletions
Amends Housing Act 2004 — see section 28
1 Section 28 (hazard awareness notices relating to category 1 hazards: duty of authority to serve notice) is amended as follows.

2 For subsections (1) and (2) substitute—

1 If—
a the local housing authority are satisfied that—
i a category 1 hazard exists on any residential premises, or

ii any qualifying residential premises fail to meet a type 1 requirement, and

b no management order is in force in relation to the premises under Chapter 1 or 2 of Part 4,
serving an awareness notice under this section in respect of the hazard or failure is a course of action available to the authority in relation to the hazard or failure for the purposes of section 5 (category 1 hazards and type 1 requirements: general duty to take enforcement action).

2 An awareness notice under this section is a notice advising the person on whom it is served of—
a the existence of a category 1 hazard on, or

b a failure to meet a type 1 requirement by,
the residential premises concerned which arises as a result of a deficiency on the premises in respect of which the notice is served.

3 In subsection (3)(a), after “exists” insert “, or which fail to meet the requirement,”.

4 In subsection (4)—
a after “exists,” insert “or which fail to meet the requirement,”, and

b in paragraph (a), after “hazard” insert “or failure”.

5 In subsection (5), for the words from “to” to the end substitute
to—
a more than one category 1 hazard on the same premises or in the same building containing one or more flats,

b more than one failure to meet type 1 requirements by the same premises or the same building containing one or more flats, or

c any combination of such hazards and failures—
i on or by the same premises, or

ii in or by the same building containing one or more flats.

6 In subsection (6)—
a after “hazard” (in each place) insert “or failure”,

b after “hazards” insert “or failures”, and

c in paragraph (a), after “exists” insert “or to which it relates”.

7 In subsection (8), for ~~“a hazard”~~ substitute “an”.

8 At the end insert—

9 A notice under this section in respect of residential premises in Wales is to be known as a “hazard awareness notice”.

9 In the heading—
a omit ~~“Hazard”~~, and

b after “category 1 hazards” insert “and type 1 requirements”.
Section 299 insertions, 3 deletions
Amends Housing Act 2004 — see section 29
1 Section 29 (hazard awareness notices relating to category 2 hazards: power of authority to serve notice) is amended as follows.

2 For subsections (1) and (2) substitute—

1 If—
a the local housing authority are satisfied that—
i a category 2 hazard exists on any residential premises, or

ii any qualifying residential premises fail to meet a type 2 requirement, and

b no management order is in force in relation to the premises under Chapter 1 or 2 of Part 4,
the authority may serve an awareness notice under this section in respect of the hazard or failure.

2 An awareness notice under this section is a notice advising the person on whom it is served of—
a the existence of a category 2 hazard on, or

b a failure to meet a type 2 requirement by,
the residential premises concerned which arises as a result of a deficiency on the premises in respect of which the notice is served.

3 In subsection (3), for ~~“a hazard”~~ substitute “an”.

4 In subsection (4), for the words from “to” to the end substitute
to—
a more than one category 2 hazard on the same premises or in the same building containing one or more flats,

b more than one failure to meet type 2 requirements by the same premises or the same building containing one or more flats, or

c any combination of such hazards and failures—
i on or by the same premises, or

ii in or by the same building containing one or more flats.

5 In subsection (5)—
a after “hazard” (in each place) insert “or failure”,

b after “hazards” insert “or failures”, and

c in paragraph (a), after “exists” insert “or to which it relates”.

6 In subsection (8), for ~~“a hazard”~~ substitute “an”.

7 At the end insert—

9 A notice under this section in respect of residential premises in Wales is to be known as a “hazard awareness notice”.

8 In the heading—
a omit ~~“Hazard”~~, and

b after “category 2 hazards” insert “and type 2 requirements”.
Section 302 insertions, 1 deletion
Amends Housing Act 2004 — see section 30
1 Section 30 (offence of failing to comply with improvement notice) is amended as follows.

2 In subsection (2), after “hazard” insert “or failure”.

3 In subsection (3), omit ~~“not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale”~~.

4 In subsection (5), after “hazard” insert “or failure”.
Section 351 insertion
Amends Housing Act 2004 — see section 35
In section 35 (power of court to order occupier or owner to allow action to be taken on premises), for the definition of “relevant person” in subsection (8) substitute—
- “relevant person”, in relation to any premises, means—
  
  a person who is an owner of the premises;
  
  a person having control of or managing the premises;
  
  the holder of any licence under Part 2 or 3 in respect of the premises;
  
  in the case of qualifying residential premises which are let under a relevant tenancy, the landlord under the tenancy and any person who is a superior landlord in relation to the tenancy.
Section 403 insertions
Amends Housing Act 2004 — see section 40
1 Section 40 (emergency remedial action) is amended as follows.

2 For subsection (1) substitute—

1 If—
a the local housing authority are satisfied that—
i a category 1 hazard exists on any residential premises, or

ii any qualifying residential premises fail to meet a type 1 requirement, and

b they are further satisfied that the hazard or failure involves an imminent risk of serious harm to the health or safety of any of the occupiers of those or any other residential premises, and

c no management order is in force under Chapter 1 or 2 of Part 4 in relation to the premises mentioned in paragraph (a)(i) or (ii),
the taking by the authority of emergency remedial action under this section in respect of the hazard or failure is a course of action available to the authority in relation to the hazard or failure for the purposes of section 5 (category 1 hazards and type 1 requirements: general duty to take enforcement action).

3 In subsection (2), after “hazard” insert “or failure”.

4 In subsection (4), for the words from “of” to the end substitute
of—
a more than one category 1 hazard on the same premises or in the same building containing one or more flats,

b more than one failure to meet type 1 requirements by the same premises or the same building containing one or more flats, or

c any combination of such hazards and failures—
i on or by the same premises, or

ii in or by the same building containing one or more flats.
Section 431 insertion
Amends Housing Act 2004 — see section 43
In section 43 (emergency prohibition orders), for subsection (1) substitute—

1 If—
a the local housing authority are satisfied that—
i a category 1 hazard exists on any residential premises, or

ii any qualifying residential premises fail to meet a type 1 requirement, and

b they are further satisfied that the hazard or failure involves an imminent risk of serious harm to the health or safety of any of the occupiers of those or any other residential premises, and

c no management order is in force under Chapter 1 or 2 of Part 4 in relation to the premises mentioned in paragraph (a)(i) or (ii),
making an emergency prohibition order under this section in respect of the hazard or failure is a course of action available to the authority in relation to the hazard or failure for the purposes of section 5 (category 1 hazards and type 1 requirements: general duty to take enforcement action).
Section 492 insertions, 2 deletions
Amends Housing Act 2004 — see section 49
In section 49 (power to charge for certain enforcement action)—
a in subsection (1)(c), for ~~“a hazard”~~ substitute “an”, and

b in subsection (2), for ~~“a hazard”~~ substitute “an”.
Section 501 insertion, 1 deletion
Amends Housing Act 2004 — see section 50
In section 50 (recovery of charge under section 49), in subsection (2)(b), for ~~“a hazard”~~ substitute “an”.
Section 727 insertions, 2 deletions
Amends Housing Act 2004 — see section 72
1 Section 72 of the Housing Act 2004 (offences in relation to licensing of HMOs) is amended in accordance with subsections (2) to (4).

2 For subsection (1) substitute—

1 If an HMO is required to be licensed under this Part (see section 61(1)) but is not so licensed, an offence is committed by—
a any person within subsection (1A), and

b any person who as landlord under a tenancy or licensor under a licence to occupy has an estate or interest in, or a right in relation to, the HMO that is superior (whether directly or indirectly) to the estate, interest or right of any person within subsection (1A).

1A The following are within this subsection—
a any person having control of or managing the HMO, and

b any person who is the landlord or licensor in relation to a person occupying the HMO under a tenancy or licence.

3 After subsection (4) insert—

4A In proceedings against a person for an offence under subsection (1)(a) it is a defence for them to prove that they had a reasonable excuse—
a for having control of or managing the HMO, or

b for being the landlord or licensor in relation to a person occupying the HMO under a tenancy or licence,
in circumstances in which the HMO was required to be licensed under this Part but was not so licensed.

4B In proceedings against a person for an offence under subsection (1)(b) it is a defence for them to prove that they—
a did not know, and had a reasonable excuse for not knowing, that the building or part of the building concerned was an HMO,

b took all reasonably practicable steps to ensure that the HMO was licensed under this Part, or

c had some other reasonable excuse for failing to ensure that the HMO was so licensed.

4C For the purposes of subsection (4B), a term in the tenancy agreement or licence to occupy relating to the occupation of the building or part of the building that is an HMO does not on its own constitute a defence under any of paragraphs (a) to (c) of that subsection.

4 In subsection (5)—
a for ~~“subsection (1), (2) or (3)”~~ substitute “subsection (2) or (3)”, and

b omit paragraph (a) (together with the “or” at the end of it).

5 Section 95 of the Housing Act 2004 (offences in relation to licensing of houses under Part 3) is amended in accordance with subsections (6) to (8).

6 For subsection (1) substitute—

1 If a house is required to be licensed under this Part (see section 85(1)) but is not so licensed, an offence is committed by—
a any person within subsection (1A), and

b any person who as landlord under a tenancy or licensor under a licence to occupy has an estate or interest in, or a right in relation to, the house that is superior (whether directly or indirectly) to the estate, interest or right of any person within subsection (1A).

1A The following are within this subsection—
a any person having control of or managing the house;

b any person who is the landlord or licensor in relation to a person occupying the house under a tenancy or licence.

7 After subsection (3) insert—

3A In proceedings against a person for an offence under subsection (1)(a) it is a defence for them to prove that they had a reasonable excuse—
a for having control of or managing the house, or

b for being the landlord or licensor in relation to a person occupying the house under a tenancy or licence,
in circumstances in which the house was required to be licensed under this Part but was not so licensed.

3B In proceedings against a person for an offence under subsection (1)(b) it is a defence for them to prove that they—
a did not know, and had a reasonable excuse for not knowing, that the house was one to which this Part applies,

b took all reasonably practicable steps to ensure that the house was licensed under this Part, or

c had some other reasonable excuse for failing to ensure that the house was so licensed.

3C For the purposes of subsection (3B), a term in the tenancy agreement or licence to occupy relating to the occupation of the house does not on its own constitute a defence under any of paragraphs (a) to (c) of that subsection.

8 In subsection (4)—
a for ~~“subsection (1) or (2)”~~ substitute “subsection (2)”, and

b for the words following “excuse” substitute “for failing to comply with the condition”.
Section 75
Amends Housing Act 2004 — see section 75
Omit section 75.
Section 98
Amends Housing Act 2004 — see section 98
Omit section 98.
Section 21216 insertions, 11 deletions
Amends Housing Act 2004 — see section 212
1 Chapter 4 of Part 6 of the Housing Act 2004 (tenancy deposit schemes) is amended as follows.
2 In section 212—
a in subsection (1), for ~~“shorthold”~~ substitute “assured”;

b in subsection (2), for ~~“shorthold”~~ substitute “assured”;
c in subsection (8)—
i at the appropriate place insert—

“assured tenancy” means an assured tenancy within the meaning of Chapter 1 of Part 1 of the Housing Act 1988 (for transitional provision see Schedule 6 to the Renters’ Rights Act 2025);

ii omit the definition of “shorthold tenancy”;

iii in the definition of “tenancy deposit”, for ~~“a shorthold”~~ substitute “an assured”;
d in subsection (9), in paragraph (a), for ~~“shorthold”~~ substitute “assured”.
3 In section 213, in each place it occurs, for ~~“a shorthold”~~ substitute “an assured”.
4 In section 214—
a in subsection (1)—
i for ~~“a shorthold”~~ substitute “an assured”;

ii omit ~~“on or after 6 April 2007”~~;
b after subsection (1) insert—

1ZA In relation to a tenancy that, immediately before the commencement date, was an assured shorthold tenancy, subsection (1) applies as if after “assured tenancy”, in the first place it occurs, there were inserted “on or after 6 April 2007”.

1ZB In subsection (1ZA)—

“assured shorthold tenancy” means an assured shorthold tenancy within the meaning of Chapter 2 of Part 1 of the Housing Act 1988 as it had effect before the amendments made by the Renters’ Rights Act 2025;

“the commencement date” has the meaning given by section 146(3) of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025.

;
c in subsection (5), for ~~“a shorthold”~~ substitute “an assured”.
5 For section 215 substitute—
215 Sanctions for non-compliance

1 Where a tenancy deposit has been paid in connection with an assured tenancy, the court may make an order for possession of the dwelling-house let on the assured tenancy only if the tenancy deposit is being held in accordance with an authorised scheme.

2 Where a tenancy deposit has been paid in connection with an assured tenancy, the court may make an order for possession of the dwelling-house let on the assured tenancy only if such requirements of the scheme as fell to be complied with by the landlord on receiving the tenancy deposit have been complied with (whether or not within the period mentioned by section 213(3)) in relation to the tenancy deposit.

3 Where a tenancy deposit has been paid in connection with an assured tenancy, the court may make an order for possession of the dwelling-house let on the assured tenancy only if the requirements of section 213(5) and (6)(a) have been complied with.

4 Subsections (1) to (3) do not apply in relation to an order for possession made on Ground 7A or 14 in Schedule 2 to the Housing Act 1988 (whether or not any other grounds for possession are met).

5 Subsections (1) to (3) do not apply where—
a the tenancy deposit has been returned to the tenant in full or with such deductions as are agreed between the landlord and tenant, or

b an application to the county court has been made under section 214(1) and has been determined by that court, withdrawn or settled by agreement between the parties.

6 If any deposit given in connection with an assured tenancy could not be lawfully required as a result of section 213(7), the court may not make an order for possession of the dwelling-house let on the assured tenancy until the property in question is returned to the person by whom it was given as a deposit.

7 In subsection (6) “deposit” has the meaning given by section 213(8).

8 In relation to an assured tenancy that was entered into before the commencement date, subsection (2) is to be read as if the words “on or after 6 April 2007” were inserted after “assured tenancy” in the first place it occurs.

9 See also paragraph 11 of Schedule 6 to the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 (disapplication of amendments to this Chapter in relation to a tenancy that immediately before the commencement date was an assured tenancy other than an assured shorthold tenancy).

10 In this section—

“assured shorthold tenancy” means an assured shorthold tenancy within the meaning of Chapter 2 of Part 1 of the Housing Act 1988 as it had effect before the amendments made by the Renters’ Rights Act 2025;

“the commencement date” has the meaning given by section 146(3) of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025;

“the court” means a court having jurisdiction to make an order for possession of a dwelling-house let on an assured tenancy (see section 40 of the Housing Act 1988);

“dwelling-house” has the same meaning as in Part 1 of the Housing Act 1988 (see section 45 of that Act).
6 Omit section 215A.

7 In section 215B—
a in the title, for ~~“Shorthold”~~ substitute “Assured”;

b in subsection (1)—
i in paragraph (a) for ~~“a shorthold”~~ substitute “an assured”;

ii in paragraph (d) for ~~“shorthold”~~ substitute “assured”.

8 Omit section 215C.

9 In Schedule 10—
a for “shorthold tenancies”, in each place it occurs, substitute “assured tenancies”;

b for “a shorthold tenancy”, in each place it occurs, substitute “an assured tenancy”.
Section 212A3 insertions, 2 deletions
Amends Housing Act 2004 — see section 212A
1 Section 212A of the Housing Act 2004 (tenancy deposit schemes: provision of information to local authorities) is amended in accordance with subsections (2) and (3).
2 In subsection (5), after paragraph (a) (but before the “or” at the end) insert—
aa for a purpose connected with the exercise of the authority’s functions under or by virtue of Part 7 in relation to any qualifying residential premises within the meaning given by section 2B,

ab for a purpose connected with the authority’s functions under or by virtue of the following in relation to any premises—

sections 1 and 1A of the Protection from Eviction Act 1977,

Chapter 1 of Part 1 of the Housing Act 1988,

section 83 (1) or 84 (1) of the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013,

sections 21 to 23, 41 and 133 to 135 of the Housing and Planning Act 2016,

Chapter 3 of Part 1 and Part 2 of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025.
.
3 In subsection (5), in paragraph (b), for ~~“of those Parts in relation to any premises”~~ substitute “provision mentioned in paragraphs (a) to (ab) in relation to premises or qualifying residential premises (as the case may be)”.

4 Section 237 of the Housing Act 2004 (use of housing benefit and council tax information for certain other statutory purposes) is amended in accordance with subsections (5) and (6).
5 In subsection (1), after paragraph (a) (but before the “or” at the end) insert—
aa for any purpose connected with the exercise of any of the authority’s functions under or by virtue of Part 7 in relation to any qualifying residential premises within the meaning given by section 2B,

ab for any purpose connected with any of the authority’s functions under or by virtue of the following in relation to any premises—

sections 1 and 1A of the Protection from Eviction Act 1977,

Chapter 1 of Part 1 of the Housing Act 1988,

section 83 (1) or 84 (1) of the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013,

sections 21 to 23, 41 and 133 to 135 of the Housing and Planning Act 2016,

Chapter 3 of Part 1 and Part 2 of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025.
.
6 In subsection (1), in paragraph (b), for ~~“of those Parts in relation to any premises”~~ substitute “provision mentioned in paragraphs (a) to (ab) in relation to premises or qualifying residential premises (as the case may be).
Section 2353 insertions, 1 deletion
Amends Housing Act 2004 — see section 235
1 In section 235 of the Housing Act 2004 (power to require documents to be produced), in subsection (1)—
a after paragraph (a) (but before the “or” at the end) insert—

aa for any purpose connected with the exercise of any of the authority’s functions under this Part in relation to any qualifying residential premises within the meaning given by section 2B,

;

b in paragraph (b) for ~~“those Parts in relation to any premises”~~ substitute “Parts 1 to 4 in relation to any premises or under this Part in relation to any qualifying residential premises within the meaning given by section 2B”.

2 In section 239 of that Act (powers of entry), after subsection (5) insert—

5A In relation to any qualifying residential premises within the meaning given by section 2B, notice need not be given—
a to any owner;

b to any occupier who has waived the requirement to give notice.

5B If—
a premises are entered in exercise of the power conferred by subsection (3), and

b notice is not given to any person because of subsection (5A)(a),
the authorised person or proper officer must give that person notice of the exercise of that power within a reasonable period after its exercise.

5C The notice must—
a identify the premises that were entered,

b state when the premises were entered, and

c state the purpose for which the premises were entered.
Section 2502 insertions
Amends Housing Act 2004 — see section 250
1 Section 250 (orders and regulations) is amended as follows.

2 After subsection (2) insert—

2A The power under subsection (2)(b) includes power—
a to provide for regulations under sections 2A and 2B(3) to apply (with or without modifications) in relation to tenancies or licences entered into before the date on which the regulations come into force;

b for regulations under section 2B(3)(b) to provide for Part 1 to apply in relation to licences with such modifications as may be specified in the regulations.

3 In subsection (6), before paragraph (a) insert—

za regulations under sections 2A and 2B(3),

.
Schedule 12 insertions, 1 deletion
Amends Housing Act 2004 — see Schedule 1
In Schedule 1 to the Housing Act 2004 (procedure and appeals relating to improvement notices), in paragraph 2 (2)—
a after “the notice” insert “on whichever of the following the authority considers ought to take the action specified in it”,

b in paragraphs (a) and (b), omit ~~“on”~~ in each place, and

c after paragraph (b) insert—

c (in either case) if the premises or any part of them are let under a tenancy that is periodic or was granted for a term of 21 years or less, or are occupied under a licence—
i the landlord or licensor;

ii any superior landlord or licensor.
Schedule 15 insertions, 2 deletions
Amends Housing Act 2004 — see Schedule 1
1 Schedule 1 (procedure and appeals relating to improvement notices) is amended as follows.
2 Before paragraph 1 insert—
1 This paragraph applies instead of paragraphs 1 to 3 where—
a the specified premises are qualifying residential premises other than—
i homelessness accommodation (see paragraph B1), or

ii common parts (see paragraph 4), and

b an improvement notice relates to a failure by the premises to meet a requirement specified by regulations under section 2A (whether or not the notice also relates to a category 1 or 2 hazard).

2 Sub-paragraph (3) applies in relation to the premises if they are—
a a dwelling or HMO let under a relevant tenancy,

b an HMO where at least one unit of accommodation which forms part of the HMO is let under a relevant tenancy, or

c a building or a part of a building constructed or adapted for use as a house in multiple occupation if—
i it is for the time being only occupied by persons who form a single household, and

ii the accommodation which those persons occupy is let under a relevant tenancy.

3 The notice must be served on the landlord under the tenancy unless—
a the tenancy is a sub-tenancy, in which case the notice may instead be served on a superior landlord in relation to the tenancy if, in the opinion of the local housing authority, the superior landlord ought to take the action specified in the notice;

b the premises are a dwelling which is licensed under Part 3 of this Act, or an HMO which is licensed under Part 2 or 3 of this Act, in which case the notice may instead be served on the holder of the licence if, in the opinion of the local housing authority, the holder ought to take the action specified in the notice.

4 Where sub-paragraph(3) does not apply in relation to the premises and the premises are supported exempt accommodation, the notice must be served on the authority or body which provides the accommodation.

5 In this paragraph—

“common parts” means common parts that are qualifying residential premises by virtue of section 2B(1)(d);

“homelessness accommodation” means accommodation in England—

the availability of which is secured under Part 7 of the Housing Act 1996 (homelessness), and

which is residential premises, whether by virtue of paragraph (e) or another paragraph of section 1(4).

B1 Service of improvement notices: homelessness accommodation (whether or not it is qualifying residential premises)

1 This paragraph applies where the specified premises in the case of an improvement notice are homelessness accommodation (which has the same meaning here as in paragraph A1).

2 The notice must be served on any person—
a who has an estate or interest in the premises, and

b who, in the opinion of the local housing authority, ought to take the action specified in the notice.

3 This paragraph applies instead of paragraph 1, 2 or 3 (in a case where that paragraph would otherwise apply to the improvement notice).
3 In paragraph 5(1), for ~~“1 to”~~ substitute “A1 to”.

4 In paragraph 12—
a in sub-paragraph (1), after “hazard” insert “or failure”, and

b in sub-paragraph (2)(b), for ~~“a hazard”~~ substitute “an”.

5 In paragraph 17, after “hazard” (in each place) insert “or failure”.
Schedule 149 insertions, 6 deletions
Amends Housing Act 2004 — see Schedule 14
1 Schedule 14 to the Housing Act 2004 (buildings which are not HMOs) is amended in accordance with subsections (2) and (4).

2 After paragraph 3 insert—

3A Buildings occupied by students: England

1 Any building in England—
a which is occupied solely or principally by persons who occupy it for the purpose of undertaking a full-time course of further or higher education at a specified educational establishment, or at an educational establishment of a specified description, and where the person managing or having control of it is the educational establishment in question, or

b which is occupied solely or principally by persons who occupy it for the purpose of undertaking a full-time course of further or higher education at an educational establishment and where the person managing or having control of it is a specified person or a person of a specified description.

2 In—
a sub-paragraph (1)(a) “specified” means specified for the purposes of that sub-paragraph in regulations made by the Secretary of State;

b sub-paragraph (1)(b) “specified” means specified for the purposes of that sub-paragraph in regulations made by the Secretary of State;
and the regulations may (in particular) provide that an educational establishment is specified, or of a specified description, for the purposes of sub-paragraph (1)(b).

3 Those regulations may, in particular, specify—
a as a description of educational establishment for the purposes of sub-paragraph (1)(a), or

b as a description of person for the purposes of sub-paragraph (1)(b),
the members from time to time, or a description of the members from time to time, of a housing management code of practice which is specified in the regulations.

4 The Secretary of State may by regulations—
a specify a class of building, and

b provide that a building—
i does not fall within this paragraph if it is of the specified class, or

ii falls within this paragraph only if it is of the specified class.

5 The Secretary of State may by regulations—
a specify a building manager or a class of building manager,

b specify a class of building in relation to the specified building manager or the specified class of building manager, and

c provide that a building which the specified building manager, or a building manager of the specified class, manages or has control of—
i does not fall within this paragraph if the building is of the specified class, or

ii falls within this paragraph only if the building is of the specified class.

6 Regulations under sub-paragraph (4)(a) or (5)(b) may, in particular, specify as a class of building—
a the buildings, or

b a class of the buildings,
from time to time subject to a housing management code of practice which is specified for this purpose by regulations under sub-paragraph (4)(a) or (5)(b).

7 Regulations under sub-paragraph (5)(a) may, in particular, specify as a class of building manager—
a the members, or

b a class of the members,
from time to time of a housing management code of practice which is specified for this purpose by regulations under sub-paragraph (5)(a).

8 For the purposes of this paragraph—
a “building manager” means an educational establishment or other person managing or having control of a building;

b “housing management code of practice” means a code of practice approved by the Secretary of State under section 233 (codes relating to the management of HMOs or excepted accommodation);

c a building is “subject to” a housing management code of practice if it—
i is a particular building subject to the code, or

ii is of a class of buildings subject to the code;

d a reference to—
i a class of the buildings from time to time subject to a housing management code of practice, or

ii a class of the members from time to time of a housing management code of practice,
includes the buildings or members that are from time to time in a class provided for in the code of practice.

3 Any regulations made by the Secretary of State under paragraph 4 of Schedule 14 to the Housing Act 2004 before the coming into force of this section are to continue to have effect on and after the coming into force of this section as if made under paragraph 3A of that Schedule (inserted by this section).

4 In paragraph 4 (buildings occupied by students)—
a in the heading, after “students” insert “: Wales”;

b in sub-paragraph (1), in the words before paragraph (a), after “building” insert “in Wales”.

c in sub-paragraph (2), for ~~“appropriate national authority”~~ substitute “Welsh Ministers”.

d in sub-paragraph (3), for ~~“appropriate national authority”~~ substitute “Welsh Ministers”.

e in sub-paragraph (4)—
i in the words before paragraph (a), for ~~“appropriate national authority may have regard to the extent to which, in its opinion”~~ substitute “Welsh Ministers may have regard to the extent to which, in their opinion”;

ii in paragraph (a), for ~~“authority”~~ substitute “Welsh Ministers”.

5 In consequence of the other amendments made by this section—
a in paragraph 16E(3) of Schedule 2 to the Finance Act 2019 (inserted by Schedule 1 to the Finance Act 2025) (meaning of “institutional building”), in paragraph (i)(i) and (ii) (buildings occupied by students), for ~~“paragraph 4”~~ substitute “paragraph 3A or 4”;

b in the Capital Allowances Act 2001, in section 270CF (exclusion from qualifying use: residential use), in subsection (1)(b), for ~~“paragraph 4”~~ substitute “paragraph 3A or 4”.

6 Any regulations made by the Treasury under paragraph 16E(3)(i)(ii) of Schedule 2 to the Finance Act 2019 before the coming into force of this section which designate provision as provision corresponding to paragraph 4 of Schedule 14 to the Housing Act 2004 are to continue to have effect on and after the coming into force of this section as if they designated the provision as provision corresponding to paragraph 3A or 4 of that Schedule.
Schedule 210 insertions, 3 deletions
Amends Housing Act 2004 — see Schedule 2
1 Schedule 2 (procedure and appeals relating to prohibition orders) is amended as follows.

2 In paragraph 1—
a after sub-paragraph (2) insert—

2A Where the specified premises are qualifying residential premises which—
a are a dwelling or HMO let under a relevant tenancy,

b are an HMO where at least one unit of accommodation which forms part of the HMO is let on a relevant tenancy, or

c are a building or a part of a building constructed or adapted for use as a house in multiple occupation—
i that is for the time being only occupied by persons who form a single household, and

ii where the accommodation which those persons occupy is let under a relevant tenancy,

the authority must also serve copies of the order on any other person who, to their knowledge, is the landlord under the tenancy or a superior landlord in relation to the tenancy.

2B Where—
a sub-paragraph (2A) does not apply in relation to the specified premises,

b the specified premises consist of or include the whole or any part of a building containing homelessness accommodation, and

c the person providing the homelessness accommodation—
i is a tenant of that accommodation under a tenancy which has an unexpired term of 3 years or less (the “short tenancy”), and

ii accordingly is not an owner in relation to the homelessness accommodation (see section 262(7)(b)),

the authority must also serve copies of the order on any person who, to their knowledge, is a tenant under the short tenancy, a landlord under the short tenancy, or a superior landlord in relation to the short tenancy, and who is not otherwise required to be served with a copy of the notice under this paragraph.

2C In sub-paragraph (2B) “homelessness accommodation” means accommodation in England—
a the availability of which is secured under Part 7 of the Housing Act 1996 (homelessness), and

b which is residential premises, whether by virtue of paragraph (e) or another paragraph of section 1(4).

, and

b in sub-paragraph (3), for ~~“sub-paragraph (2)”~~ substitute “this paragraph”.

3 In paragraph 2—
a for sub-paragraph (1) substitute—

1 This paragraph applies to a prohibition order where the specified premises consist of or include—
a the whole or any part of a building containing—
i one or more flats, or

ii accommodation falling within paragraph (e) of the definition of “residential premises” in section 1(4) (homelessness) that is not a dwelling, HMO or flat, or

b any common parts of such a building.

b after sub-paragraph (2) insert—

2A Where the specified premises consist of or include qualifying residential premises which—
a are a dwelling or HMO let under a relevant tenancy,

b are an HMO where at least one unit of accommodation which forms part of the HMO is let on a relevant tenancy, or

c are a building or a part of a building constructed or adapted for use as a house in multiple occupation—
i that is for the time being only occupied by persons who form a single household, and

ii where the accommodation which those persons occupy is let under a relevant tenancy,

the authority must also serve copies of the order on any other person who, to their knowledge, is the landlord under the tenancy or a superior landlord in relation to the tenancy.

2B Where—
a sub-paragraph (2A) does not apply in relation to the specified premises,

b the specified premises consist of or include the whole or any part of a building containing homelessness accommodation, and

c the person providing the homelessness accommodation—
i is a tenant of that accommodation under a tenancy which has an unexpired term of 3 years or less (the “short tenancy”), and

ii accordingly is not an owner in relation to the homelessness accommodation (see section 262(7)(b)),

the authority must also serve copies of the order on any person who, to their knowledge, is a tenant under the short tenancy, a landlord under the short tenancy, or a superior landlord in relation to the short tenancy, and who is not otherwise required to be served with a copy of the notice under this paragraph.

2C In sub-paragraph (2B) “homelessness accommodation” means accommodation in England—
a the availability of which is secured under Part 7 of the Housing Act 1996 (homelessness), and

b which is residential premises, whether by virtue of paragraph (e) or another paragraph of section 1(4).

,

c in sub-paragraph (3), after “(2)” insert “, (2A) or (2B)”, and

d in sub-paragraph (4), for ~~“sub-paragraph (2) or (3)”~~ substitute “this paragraph”.

4 In paragraph 8—
a in sub-paragraph (1), after “hazard” insert “or failure”, and

b in sub-paragraph (2)(b), for ~~“a hazard”~~ substitute “an”.

5 In paragraph 12, after “hazard” (in each place) insert “or failure”.

6 In paragraph 16(1)—
a omit the “or” at the end of paragraph (b), and

b at the end of paragraph (c) insert
, or
d in the case of qualifying residential premises which—
i are a dwelling or HMO let under a relevant tenancy,

ii are an HMO where at least one unit of accommodation which forms part of the HMO is let on a relevant tenancy, or

iii are a building or a part of a building constructed or adapted for use as a house in multiple occupation that is for the time being only occupied by persons who form a single household and where the accommodation which those persons occupy is let under a relevant tenancy,
any person on whom copies of the prohibition order are required to be served by paragraph 1(2A) or 2(2A).
Schedule 32 insertions
Amends Housing Act 2004 — see Schedule 3
1 Schedule 3 (improvement notices: enforcement action by local housing authorities) is amended as follows.

2 In paragraph 3, after “hazard” (in each place) insert “or failure”.

3 In paragraph 4, after “hazard” (in both places) insert “or failure”.

Local Government Finance Act 1992

1 amendment · open Act

Section 6(6)2 changes
6 Persons liable to pay council tax.
subsections (1) – (5) unchanged
6 In this section— “material interest” means a freehold interest ~~or a~~, a leasehold interest which was granted for a term of six months or more or a tenancy that is or was previously an assured tenancy within the meaning of the Housing Act 1988; “owner”, in relation to any dwelling, means the person as regards whom the following conditions are fulfilled— …

Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992

1 amendment · open Act

Amends Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992
1 In this Chapter—
- “benefits claimant” means a person who—
  
  is entitled to payments (including payments made directly to a landlord) under or by virtue of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 or the Welfare Reform Act 2012, or would be so entitled were a relevant tenancy to be granted to the person,
  
  is entitled to payments (including payments made directly to a landlord) under or by virtue of the Jobseekers Act 1995, the State Pension Credit Act 2002, the Tax Credits Act 2002, the Welfare Reform Act 2007 or the Pensions Act 2014,
  
  is in receipt of a reduction in the amount of council tax payable in respect of the person’s current home under a scheme made by a billing authority under or by virtue of section 13A of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, or
  
  would be entitled to a reduction in the amount of council tax payable in respect of the dwelling in question under a scheme made by the billing authority in whose area the dwelling is situated under or by virtue of section 13A of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, if the person were to—
  
  rent the dwelling on a relevant tenancy, and
  
  if an application is a precondition of entitlement, apply to the billing authority for a reduction under the scheme;
- “child” means a person under the age of 18;
- “dwelling” means a “dwelling-house” within the meaning of Part 1 of the 1988 Act (see section 45 of that Act) in England;
- “prospective landlord” means a person who proposes to let a dwelling on an agreement which may give rise to a relevant tenancy;
- “prospective tenant” means a person seeking to find a dwelling to rent;
- “regulated tenancy” has the same meaning as in the Rent Act 1977 (see section 18 of that Act);
- “relevant person”, in relation to a relevant tenancy, means—
  
  the prospective landlord;
  
  a person acting or purporting to act directly or indirectly on behalf of the prospective landlord;
- “relevant tenancy” means an assured tenancy within the meaning of the 1988 Act, other than a tenancy that is—
  
  a tenancy of social housing, within the meaning of Part 2 of the Housing and Regeneration Act 2008, or
  
  a tenancy of supported accommodation, within the meaning given by paragraph 12 of Schedule 2 to the 1988 Act.
2 In this Chapter a reference to doing something on the basis of particular facts includes reference to doing it on the basis of a belief in those facts.

Housing and Planning Act 2016

11 amendments · open Act

Amends Housing and Planning Act 2016
In the Housing and Planning Act 2016, omit Part 3 (recovering abandoned premises under assured shorthold tenancies).
3 insertions
Amends Housing and Planning Act 2016
1 The Housing and Planning Act 2016 is amended as follows.

2 In section 28 (database of rogue landlords and property agents), after subsection (3) insert—

4 In relation to rogue landlords, see also the database established under section 75 of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025.

3 In section 29 (duty to include person with banning order), after subsection (2) insert—

3 In this section, references to a “banning order” are to a banning order made—
a before the day on which Chapter 3 of Part 2 of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 comes into force, or

b on or after that day if—
i the order does not ban the person against whom it is made from letting housing in England, or

ii the order relates to an offence to which subsection (4) applies.

4 This subsection applies to an offence which was committed by a person who at the time was neither—
a a residential landlord as defined in Part 2 of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 (see sections 63 and 99(2) of that Act), nor

b marketing a dwelling for the purpose of creating a residential tenancy, as defined for the purposes of that Part of that Act (see section 99(3) to (7) of that Act).

4 In section 30 (power to include person convicted of banning order offence), after subsection (7)—

8 In this section, references to a “banning order offence” are to a banning order offence committed—
a before the day on which Chapter 3 of Part 2 of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 comes into force, or

b on or after that day if it is an offence to which subsection (9) applies.

9 This subsection applies to a banning order offence which was committed by a person who at the time was neither—
a a residential landlord as defined in Part 2 of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 (see sections 63 and 99(2) of that Act), nor

b marketing a dwelling for the purpose of creating a residential tenancy, as defined for the purposes of that Part of that Act (see section 99(3) to (7) of that Act).

20 insertions, 7 deletions

Amends Housing and Planning Act 2016

1 The Housing and Planning Act 2016 is amended as follows.

2 In section 40 (introduction and key definitions), in subsection (3)—

a at the end of line 2 of the table in that subsection insert—

2A	Housing Act 1988	section 16J(1)	Knowingly or recklessly misusing a possession ground
2B		section 16J(2)	Breach of restriction on letting or marketing dwelling-house
2C		section 16J(3)	Tenancy reform: continuing breaches

;

b in line 5 of the table in that subsection, in the third column, for ~~“control or management of unlicensed HMO”~~ substitute “offences relating to unlicensed HMOs”;

c in line 6 of the table in that subsection, in the third column, for ~~“control or management of unlicensed house”~~ substitute “offences relating to unlicensed houses”;

d at the end of the table in that subsection insert—

8	Renters’ Rights Act 2025	section 67(1)	Landlord redress schemes: continuing breaches
9		section 92(1)	Private rented sector database: provision of false or misleading information
10		section 92(2) (but only if the penalty imposed relates to a breach of a requirement imposed by section 82(3))	Private rented sector database: continuing breaches

3 In section 41 (application for rent repayment order)—

a in subsection (2)(b), for ~~“12 months”~~ substitute “2 years”;

b after subsection (2) insert—

2A The requirement in subsection (2)(a) does not apply to an application for a rent repayment order in relation to an offence under section 16J(1) or (2) of the Housing Act 1988.

4 In section 42 (notice of intended proceedings), in subsection (5), for ~~“12 months”~~ substitute “2 years”.

5 In section 44 (amount of order: tenants)—

a in subsection (2), in the first column of the table—

i in the first row, for ~~“or 2”~~ substitute “, 2, 2A or 9”, and

ii in the second row, for “3” to “7” substitute “2C, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or 10”;

b in subsection (2), after the first row of the table insert—

an offence mentioned in row 2B of the table in section 40(3)

the period of 2 years ending with the date of the offence or, if the tenancy ends before that date, the date on which it ends

;

c in subsection (4)—

i omit the “and” at the end of paragraph (b),

ii in paragraph (c), after “of” insert “, or received a financial penalty in respect of,”, and

iii at the end of paragraph (c) insert

, and

d whether the landlord has at any time had a rent repayment order made against them.

6 In section 45 (amount of order: local housing authorities)—

a in subsection (2), in the first column of the table —

i in the first row, for ~~“or 2”~~ substitute “, 2, 2A or 9”, and

ii in the second row, for “3” to “7” substitute “2C, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or 10”;

b in subsection (2), after the first row of the table insert—

an offence mentioned in row 2B of the table in section 40(3)

the period of 2 years ending with the date of the offence or, if the tenancy ends before that date, the date on which it ends

;

c in subsection (4)—

i omit the “and” at the end of paragraph (b),

ii in paragraph (c), after “of” insert “, or received a financial penalty in respect of,”, and

iii at the end of paragraph (c) insert

, and

d whether the landlord has at any time had a rent repayment order made against them.

7 In section 46 (amount of order following conviction)—

a in subsection (1), for ~~“both”~~ substitute “either”;

b for subsection (3) substitute—

3 Condition 2 is that the order is made against a landlord in relation to an offence (the “relevant offence”) where the landlord has at any time (whether or not in relation to the same tenancy or housing)—

a been convicted of another offence which is the same offence as the relevant offence,

b received a financial penalty in respect of another offence which is the same offence as the relevant offence, or

c had a rent repayment order made against them in respect of another offence which is the same offence as the relevant offence.

;

c after subsection (4) insert—

4A For the purposes of subsection (3), an offence under section 72 (1) of the Housing Act 2004 is to be treated as the same offence as an offence under section 95 (1) of that Act (and vice versa).

15 insertions, 6 deletions
Amends Housing and Planning Act 2016
1 The Housing and Planning Act 2016 is amended as follows.

2 In section 40 (introduction and key definitions), for subsections (1) and (2) substitute—

1 This Chapter confers power on the First-tier Tribunal to make a rent repayment order where an offence to which this Chapter applies has been committed by—
a a landlord under a tenancy of housing in England, or

b any superior landlord in relation to such a tenancy.

2 A rent repayment order is an order requiring the landlord or superior landlord who committed the offence to—
a pay a tenant an amount in respect of rent paid by or on behalf of the tenant (whether the rent was paid to the landlord or superior landlord against whom the order is made, or to another person), or

b pay a local housing authority an amount in respect of a relevant award of universal credit paid (to any person) in respect of rent under the tenancy.

2A In a case where the offence was committed by a superior landlord—
a references in the following provisions of this Chapter to the landlord are to be read as references to the superior landlord, and

b housing in relation to which the person in question is a superior landlord is to be treated for the purposes of this Chapter as let by that person.

3 In section 41 (application for rent repayment order), in subsection (1), for ~~“person”~~ substitute “landlord”.

4 In section 43 (making of rent repayment order), at the end of subsection (3) insert—

d section 46A (where an order is made against more than one landlord or there has been a previous order).

5 In section 44 (amount of order: tenants)—
a in subsection (2)—
i after “rent paid” (in the first place) insert “by, or on behalf of, the tenant”,

ii for ~~“during”~~ substitute “in respect of”,

iii in the heading to the second column to the table, after “by” insert “, or on behalf of,”, and

iv for “12 months” (in both places) substitute “2 years”,

b in subsection (3)—
i for ~~“repay”~~ substitute “pay”, and

ii in paragraph (a), after “paid” insert “by, or on behalf of, the tenant”, and

c in subsection (4), after paragraph (a) insert—

aa the amount of any rent received by the tenant in respect of the period mentioned in the table in relation to the housing let to the tenant,

.

6 In section 45 (amount of order: local housing authorities)—
a in subsection (2)—
i for ~~“during”~~ substitute “in respect of”, and

ii for “12 months” (in both places) substitute “2 years”, and

b in subsection (3)—
i for ~~“repay”~~ substitute “pay”, and

ii omit ~~“that the landlord”~~ (in the second place).

7 After section 46 insert—

46A Amount of order: supplementary

1 A rent repayment order made against more than one landlord must provide for the landlords to be jointly and severally liable for the amount due under the order.

2 If a rent repayment order (“the original order”) has been made in respect of rent under a tenancy and another rent repayment order (“the new order”) is made in respect of rent under the same tenancy, the new order may not require payment to be made in respect of any period in respect of which the original order required payment to be made.
8 In section 52 (interpretation), in subsection (1), in the appropriate place insert—
“landlord” is to be read in accordance with section 40(2A);
1 insertion
Amends Housing and Planning Act 2016
For Ground 1 (excluding the italic heading) substitute—
- The current tenancy began at least 1 year before the relevant date and the landlord who is seeking possession requires the dwelling-house as the only or principal home of any of the following—
  
  the landlord;
  
  the landlord’s spouse or civil partner or a person with whom the landlord lives as if they were married or in a civil partnership;
  
  the landlord’s—
  
  parent;
  
  grandparent;
  
  sibling;
  
  child;
  
  grandchild;
  
  a child or grandchild of a person mentioned in paragraph (b).
  
  A relationship of the half-blood is to be treated as a relationship of the whole blood.
  
  In the case of joint landlords seeking possession, references to “the landlord” in this ground are to be read as references to at least one of those joint landlords.
  
  When calculating whether the current tenancy began at least 1 year before the relevant date, both—
  
  the day when the current tenancy began, and
  
  the relevant date,
  
  must be included in the calculation.
1 insertion
Amends Housing and Planning Act 2016
After Ground 5 insert—
- Ground 5A The landlord seeking possession requires the dwelling-house for the purpose of housing a qualifying agricultural worker.
  
  For the purpose of this ground a person is a “qualifying agricultural worker” in case A or B.
  
  Case A is where—
  
  the person will be employed in agriculture as a seasonal or permanent employee under a contract of employment, and
  
  the employer under that contract is—
  
  the landlord, or
  
  in the case of joint landlords seeking possession, at least one of those landlords.
  
  Case B is where—
  
  the person will be—
  
  employed in agriculture under a contract of employment, but the employer under that contract is not the landlord or, in the case of joint landlords, any of those landlords, or
  
  working in agriculture under a contract that is not a contract of employment, whether the contract is express or implied and (if express) whether oral or in writing,
  
  the person will be employed or working in agriculture under that contract wholly or mainly for—
  
  the landlord, or
  
  in the case of joint landlords seeking possession, at least one of the landlords, and
  
  the relevant landlord intends that employment or work to continue for at least six months after the relevant date;
  
  and here “relevant landlord” means the landlord, or whichever of the joint landlords, the person will be wholly or mainly working for.
  
  In this ground—
  
  “agriculture” has the same meaning as in the Rent (Agriculture) Act 1976 (see section 1 of that Act);
  
  “contract of employment” has the meaning given by section 230(2) of the Employment Rights Act 1996.

Section 71 insertion

Amends Housing and Planning Act 2016 — see section 7

For Ground 6 (excluding the italic heading) substitute—

These conditions are met—

the general redevelopment conditions (in every case);
the landlord’s acquisition condition, but only in a case where section 7(5ZA) applies in relation to the tenancy;
the additional RSL condition, but only in a case where the landlord seeking possession is—
1. a relevant social landlord, and
2. the person who intends to carry out the work mentioned in this ground.

The “general redevelopment conditions” are met if—

the landlord seeking possession is mentioned in the first column in a row of the table in this ground;
the tenancy is mentioned in the second column of that row;
a person mentioned in the third column of that row intends to—
1. demolish or reconstruct the whole or a substantial part of the dwelling-house, or
2. carry out substantial works on the dwelling-house or any part of it, or any building of which it forms part;
the intended work cannot reasonably be carried out without the tenant giving up possession of the dwelling-house because—
1. the tenant is not willing to agree to such a variation of the terms of the tenancy as would give such access and other facilities as would permit the intended work to be carried out,
2. the nature of the intended work is such that no such variation is practicable,
3. the tenant is not willing to accept an assured tenancy of such part only of the dwelling-house (in this sub-paragraph referred to as “the reduced part”) as would leave in the possession of the landlord so much of the dwelling-house as would be reasonable to enable the intended work to be carried out and, where appropriate, as would give such access and other facilities over the reduced part as would permit the intended work to be carried out, or
4. the nature of the intended work is such that such a tenancy is not practicable;
either —
1. the assured tenancy began at least 6 months before the relevant date, or
2. notice of a compulsory acquisition was given in respect of the dwelling-house where—
  1. the acquiring authority was the person who became the landlord who is seeking possession, and
  2. the dwelling-house was transferred to that landlord within the period of 12 months ending with the relevant date;
the assured tenancy on which the dwelling-house is let did not come into being by virtue of any provision of Schedule 1 to the Rent Act 1977, as amended by Part 1 of Schedule 4 to this Act or, as the case may be, section 4 of the Rent (Agriculture) Act 1976, as amended by Part 2 of that Schedule.

The “landlord’s acquisition condition” is met if—

the landlord seeking possession acquired their interest in the dwelling-house before the grant of the tenancy, or
that interest was in existence at the time of that grant and neither that landlord (or, in the case of joint landlords, any of them) nor any other person who, alone or jointly with others, has acquired that interest since that time acquired it for money or money’s worth.

The “additional RSL condition” is met in case A, case B or case C.

Case A: a case where alternative accommodation that meets the following conditions is available for the tenant or will be available for the tenant when the order for possession takes effect—

it is let as a separate dwelling with adequate security of tenure;
it is affordable;
it is in an appropriate location;
it is not overcrowded.

Case B: a case where alternative accommodation that meets the following conditions is available for the tenant or will be available for the tenant when the order for possession takes effect—

it is being provided temporarily until other alternative accommodation becomes available which will meet the conditions in case A;
it is affordable;
it is in an appropriate location;
it is not overcrowded.

Case C: a case where—

the tenancy of the dwelling-house was not granted pursuant to a nomination as mentioned in section 159 (2)(c) of the Housing Act 1996,
when the tenancy was granted, the landlord intended to—
1. demolish or reconstruct the whole or a substantial part of the dwelling-house, or
2. carry out substantial works on the dwelling-house or any part of it, or any building of which it forms part,
within a specific period, and
the relevant social landlord gave the tenant, before the tenancy was entered into, a written statement of the landlord’s wish to be able to recover possession on the basis of that intention to carry out that work within that period (and that period must be included in the statement).

For the purpose of the additional RSL condition, accommodation—

is let “with adequate security of tenure” if it is let—
1. on an assured tenancy, or
2. on terms which will, in the opinion of the court, afford to the tenant security of tenure reasonably equivalent to the security afforded by an assured tenancy;
is “affordable” if it is—
1. no more expensive than the dwelling-house of which possession is being sought, or
2. reasonably suitable to the means of the tenant;
is “in an appropriate location” if it is—
1. reasonably close to the dwelling-house of which possession is being sought, or
2. reasonably suitable to the needs of the tenant and the tenant’s family as regards proximity to place of work;
is “overcrowded” if the result of the occupation of the accommodation by the tenant and the tenant’s family would be that it would be an overcrowded dwelling for the purposes of Part 10 of the Housing Act 1985.

Table

Landlord seeking possession	Tenancy	Landlord intending to redevelop
a relevant social landlord	any tenancy	the landlord who is seeking possession a superior landlord
the unit-holder of a commonhold unit in relation to which a commonhold association exercises functions	a tenancy of a dwelling-house which is contained in or comprises the commonhold unit	the landlord who is seeking possession the commonhold association
any landlord other than a relevant social landlord or a unit-holder of a commonhold unit in relation to which a commonhold association exercises functions	any tenancy	the landlord who is seeking possession

In this ground—

“commonhold association”, “commonhold unit” and “unit-holder” have the meanings given by Part 1 of the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002 (see sections 11 to 13 and 34 of that Act);
“relevant social landlord” means—
1. a non-profit registered provider of social housing,
2. a body registered as a social landlord in the register maintained under section 1 of the Housing Act 1996,
3. a body registered as a social landlord in the register kept under section 20 (1) of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2010,
4. a housing trust, within the meaning of the Housing Associations Act 1985, which is a charity, or
5. where the dwelling-house is social housing within the meaning of Part 2 of the Housing and Regeneration Act 2008, a profit-making registered provider of social housing.

Section 161 insertion
Amends Housing and Planning Act 2016 — see section 16
After Ground 6A (inserted by paragraph 21) insert—
- Ground 6B Any of the following applies—
  
  letting the dwelling-house causes the landlord to breach a banning order under section 16 of the Housing and Planning Act 2016, or would do so if the landlord were to continue to let the dwelling-house;
  
  an improvement notice under section 11 or 12 of the Housing Act 2004—
  
  specifies the dwelling-house or premises in which the dwelling-house is contained as requiring remedial action, and
  
  specifies overcrowding as the deficiency giving rise to the hazard in respect of which that remedial action is to be taken;
  
  a prohibition order under section 20 or 21 of the Housing Act 2004 prohibits use of—
  
  the dwelling-house,
  
  the common parts, or
  
  any part of the dwelling-house or of the common parts,
  
  either for all purposes or for any purpose that is incompatible with continued occupation by the tenant;
  
  the dwelling-house is or is in an HMO which is required to be licensed under section 61 of the Housing Act 2004, and—
  
  the landlord applied for a licence under section 63 of the Housing Act 2004 and the local housing authority refused to grant a licence, or
  
  the landlord held a licence but the licence has been revoked;
  
  the dwelling-house is or is in a house which is required to be licensed under section 85 of the Housing Act 2004, and—
  
  the landlord applied for a licence under section 87 of the Housing Act 2004 and the local housing authority refused to grant a licence, or
  
  the landlord held a licence but the licence has been revoked;
  
  the dwelling-house is or is in an HMO which is licensed under Part 2 of the Housing Act 2004 or a house which is licensed under Part 3 of that Act and that HMO or house is occupied by more than the maximum number of households or persons specified in the licence;
  
  compliance with a planning enforcement notice or injunction would be, or is, incompatible with continued occupation of the dwelling-house by the tenant.
  
  In this ground—
  
  “common parts” has the same meaning as in Ground 13;
  
  “house” has the same meaning as in Part 3 of the Housing Act 2004 (see section 99 of that Act);
  
  references to the “landlord” are to the landlord who is seeking possession or, in the case of joint landlords seeking possession, to at least one of them;
  
  “planning enforcement notice or injunction” means—
  
  an enforcement notice issued under section 172 or 182 of the TCPA 1990 that has taken effect,
  
  a breach of condition notice served under section 187A of the TCPA 1990,
  
  an injunction granted under section 187B of the TCPA 1990,
  
  a listed building enforcement notice issued under section 38, 45 or 46 of the P(LBCA)A 1990 that has taken effect, or
  
  an injunction granted under section 44A of the P(LBCA)A 1990;
  
  “P(LBCA)A 1990” means the Planning (Listed Building and Conservation Areas) Act 1990;
  
  “TCPA 1990” means the Town and Country Planning Act 1990;
  
  “the local housing authority” has the meaning given in section 261 of the Housing Act 2004.
Section 511 insertion
Amends Housing and Planning Act 2016 — see section 51
In the Housing and Planning Act 2016, after section 51 insert—
51A Landlord which is body corporate: liability of directors etc

1 This section applies where—
a a landlord which is a body corporate has committed an offence to which this Chapter applies, and

b the offence—
i was committed with the consent or connivance of a relevant person in relation to the body corporate, or of a person purporting to act in the capacity of a relevant person in relation to the body corporate, or

ii was a specified offence and was attributable to any neglect on the part of such a person.

2 That person, as well as the body corporate, is treated for the purposes of this Chapter as having committed the offence.

3 In this Chapter a reference to the landlord includes that person.

4 In this section—

“relevant person” means—

in relation to a body corporate other than one the affairs of which are managed by its members, a director, manager, secretary or other similar officer of the body;

in relation to a body corporate the affairs of which are managed by its members, a member who exercises functions of management with respect to it;

“specified offence” means an offence under—

section 1 (2) of the Protection from Eviction Act 1977;

section 16J (2) or (3) of the Housing Act 1988;

section 30 (1), 32 (1), 72 (1) or 95 (1) of the Housing Act 2004;

section 21 of this Act;

section 67(1) or 92(2) of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025.
Section 126
Amends Housing and Planning Act 2016 — see section 126
1 In this Chapter—
- “document” includes information recorded in any form;
- “give”—
  
  in relation to a notice to an occupier of premises, includes delivering or leaving it at the premises or sending it there by post, and “given”, in relation to such a notice, is to be read accordingly;
  
  in relation to a notice to a person referred to in section 126(1)(c)(ii), includes delivering or leaving it at the address supplied by the person or sending it to that address by post, and “given”, in relation to such a notice, is to be read accordingly;
- “occupier”, in relation to premises, means any person an officer of a local housing authority reasonably suspects to be an occupier of the premises;
- “premises” includes any stall, vehicle, vessel or aircraft;
- “relevant person”: see section 114(2);
- “the rented accommodation legislation”: see section 115(3).
2 References in this Chapter to an officer—
a are to a person authorised in writing by a local housing authority to exercise powers under this Chapter, and

b in relation to a particular power only cover a particular officer if and to the extent that the officer has been authorised to exercise that power.

3 References in this Chapter to the functions of a local housing authority by virtue of particular legislation include references to any function of the authority of investigating whether an offence has been committed under that legislation.

4 A duty or power to process information that is imposed or conferred by, or by virtue of, this Chapter does not operate to authorise the processing of information which would contravene—
a the data protection legislation (but the duty or power is to be taken into account in determining whether the processing would contravene that legislation), or

b Parts 1 to 7 or Chapter 9 of the Investigatory Powers Act 2016.

5 In subsection (4) “the data protection legislation” has the same meaning as in the Data Protection Act 2018 (see section 3 of that Act).
Schedule 24 insertions, 1 deletion
Amends Housing and Planning Act 2016 — see Schedule 2
1 Ground 16 in Part 2 of Schedule 2, together with the italic heading before it, moves to after Ground 5B (inserted by paragraph 13 of this Schedule) and becomes Ground 5C in Part 1 of that Schedule.
2 For the first paragraph of the new Ground 5C substitute—
The dwelling-house was let to the tenant in consequence of the tenant’s employment—

by the landlord seeking possession,

in the case of joint landlords seeking possession, by at least one of them,

by a previous landlord under the tenancy, or

pursuant to an agreement between any of those landlords and the employer,

and either—

the tenant has ceased to be in that employment, or

the tenancy was granted for the purpose of providing the tenant with accommodation during the early period of their employment, that purpose has been fulfilled and the landlord seeking possession intends to let the dwelling-house to another current or future employee of the employer.

In this ground, “the employer” means the tenant’s employer at the time the tenant entered the tenancy.
3 After the second paragraph of the new Ground 5C insert—
This ground also applies to the letting of a dwelling-house to a tenant in consequence of the tenant’s service in the office of constable, but with the following modifications.

“Employment” means service in the office of constable.

In the first paragraph of this ground, in paragraph (d), “the employer” means any of the following persons—

the chief officer of a police force;

a policing body;

in relation to a constable’s service under the direction and control of a person who is not a constable (the “senior person”)—

the senior person, or

a person or body with the function of maintaining or securing the maintenance of the body of which the senior person is a member.

The first paragraph of this ground has effect as if the following were substituted for the second paragraph (b)—

the tenancy was granted for a particular purpose relating to the tenant’s service as a constable and—

that purpose has been fulfilled, or

the tenancy is no longer required for that purpose.

In those modifications—

“service in the office of a constable” includes a constable’s service under the direction and control of a person who is not a constable;

“chief officer of a police force” means—

a chief officer of police (which has the same meaning as in the Police Act 1996 — see section 101(1) of that Act),

the chief constable of the Ministry of Defence Police,

the chief constable of the British Transport Police,

the chief constable of the Civil Nuclear Constabulary,

the chief constable of the Police Service of Scotland, or

the chief constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland;

“policing body” means—

a local policing body (which has the same meaning as in the Police Act 1996 — see section 101(1) of that Act),

the Secretary of State in relation to the Ministry of Defence Police,

the British Transport Police Authority,

the Civil Nuclear Police Authority,

the Scottish Police Authority, or

the Northern Ireland Policing Board.
4 In the italic heading, for ~~“16”~~ substitute “5C”.

Landlord and Tenant Act 1985

2 amendments · open Act

9 insertions, 4 deletions
Amends Landlord and Tenant Act 1985
1 The Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 is amended as follows.
2 In section 10A (remedying of hazards occurring in dwellings let on social housing leases)—
a in the heading, for ~~“dwellings let on relevant social housing leases”~~ substitute “dwelling-houses in England”;

b for subsection (1) substitute—

1 This section applies to a lease of a dwelling-house in England if either of the following applies—
a the lease is a lease for a term of less than 7 years, or

b the lease is of a kind mentioned in section 13(1A), (1AA) or (1AB);
but this is subject to subsection (1A).

1A This section does not apply to any lease of a kind mentioned in section 14 (exceptions).

;

c in subsection (3), for ~~“dwelling”~~ substitute “dwelling-house”;

d after subsection (5) insert—

5A For the purposes of subsection (1) it is immaterial that the lease also demises other property (which may consist of or include one or more other dwelling-houses).

5B In determining for the purposes of subsection (1)(a) whether a lease is for a term of less than 7 years—
a any part of the term falling before the grant or creation is to be ignored and the lease is to be treated as a lease for a term commencing with the grant or creation;

b a lease which is determinable at the option of the lessor before the expiry of 7 years from the commencement of the term is to be treated as a lease for a term of less than 7 years;

c a lease (other than one to which paragraph (b) applies) is not to be treated as a lease for a term of less than 7 years if it confers on the lessee an option for renewal for a term which, together with the original term, amounts to 7 years or more.

;

e omit subsection (6);
f in subsection (7)—
i for the definitions of “lease”, “lessor” and “lessee” substitute—

“lease” does not include a mortgage term;

“lease of a dwelling-house” means a lease by which a building or part of a building is let wholly or mainly as a private residence, and “dwelling-house” means that building or part of a building, together with any yard, garden, outhouses and appurtenances belonging to it or usually enjoyed with it;

“lessee” means the person for the time being entitled to the term of a lease;

“lessor” means the person for the time being entitled to the reversion expectant on a lease;

;

ii omit the definitions of “low cost home ownership accommodation” and “social housing”.
3 In section 10B (regulations under section 10A: supplementary provision)—
a in subsection (1)(a), for the words from “42” to “2023” substitute “60 of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025”;

b in subsection (3)(b)(i), for ~~“dwelling”~~ substitute “dwelling-house”;

c for subsection (4)(a) substitute—

a limit the application of section 10A by reference to leases or dwelling-houses of particular descriptions;

;

d omit subsection (6).

4 In section 39 (index of defined expressions), for the entry for ~~“dwelling-house”~~ substitute—

dwelling-house—
(in the provisions relating to remedying of hazards) section 10A
(in the provisions relating to repairing obligations) section 16

.
Section 86
Amends Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 — see section 86
1 The database operator must not disclose restricted information from the database except—
a in accordance with section 86(2) or (3), or

b where authorised by regulations under this section.

2 The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision authorising the disclosure from the database of restricted information where the disclosure is necessary—
a to enable or facilitate compliance with a statutory requirement specified in the regulations,

b to enable or facilitate compliance with a requirement of a rule of law specified in the regulations, or

c to facilitate the exercise of statutory functions specified in the regulations.

3 The regulations may—
a specify the manner and form in which the information may be disclosed, and

b impose restrictions on the use and further disclosure of information disclosed under the regulations.

4 A disclosure authorised by the regulations does not breach—
a any obligation of confidence owed by the database operator, or

b any other restriction on the disclosure of information (however imposed).

5 Nothing in this section or the regulations authorises the making of a disclosure that would contravene the data protection legislation (but in determining whether a disclosure would do so, take into account the powers conferred by this section and the regulations).

6 A person commits an offence if the person knowingly or recklessly discloses restricted information in contravention of—
a subsection (1), or

b a restriction on further disclosure imposed by regulations under this section.

7 A person guilty of an offence under subsection (6) is liable on summary conviction to a fine.
8 In this section—
- “data protection legislation” has the same meaning as in the Data Protection Act 2018 (see section 3 of that Act);
- “restricted information” means information that—
  
  is not made available to the public by virtue of regulations under section 86, and
  
  relates to and identifies a particular person (including a body corporate).
9 For the purposes of subsection (8) information identifies a particular person if the identity of that person—
a is specified in the information,

b can be deduced from the information, or

c can be deduced from the information taken together with any other information.

Local Government Act 1974

1 amendment · open Act

Section 261 insertion
Amends Local Government Act 1974 — see section 26
In section 26 of the Local Government Act 1974, at the end of subsection (8) insert
unless—
a the investigation is in respect of action described in paragraph 5A or 5B of that Schedule, and

b the person affected is not an individual of a description whom a scheme approved under Schedule 2 to the Housing Act 1996 (investigation of social housing complaints by housing ombudsman) provides may make a complaint under that scheme in respect of that action.

Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001

1 amendment · open Act

Section 1221 insertion
Amends Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 — see section 122
In Part 1 of Schedule 1 to the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001, at the end insert—

73W Renters’ Rights Act 2025
Each of the powers of seizure conferred by section 122(1)(b) and section 123 of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025.

Rent (Agriculture) Act 1976

1 amendment · open Act

Section 41 insertion
Amends Rent (Agriculture) Act 1976 — see section 4
After Ground 1 insert—
- Ground 1A The following conditions are met—
  
  the landlord who is seeking possession intends to sell a freehold or leasehold interest in the dwelling-house or to grant a lease of the dwelling-house for a term certain of more than 21 years which is not terminable before the end of that term by notice given by or to the landlord;
  
  the assured tenancy on which the dwelling-house is let did not come into being by virtue of any provision of Schedule 1 to the Rent Act 1977 or section 4 of the Rent (Agriculture) Act 1976;
  
  either—
  
  the current tenancy began at least 1 year before the relevant date, or
  
  at the relevant date, notice of a compulsory acquisition in relation to the dwelling-house has been given, the landlord intends to sell their interest in the dwelling-house to the acquiring authority and the acquiring authority intends to acquire it;
  
  the landlord seeking possession is not—
  
  a non-profit registered provider of social housing,
  
  a body registered as a social landlord in the register maintained under section 1 of the Housing Act 1996,
  
  a body registered as a social landlord in the register kept under section 20 (1) of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2010,
  
  a housing trust, within the meaning of the Housing Associations Act 1985, which is a charity, or
  
  where the dwelling-house is social housing within the meaning of Part 2 of the Housing and Regeneration Act 2008, a profit-making registered provider of social housing.
  
  In paragraph (c)(ii), “sell” includes transfer.
  
  When calculating whether the current tenancy began at least 1 year before the relevant date, both—
  
  the day when the current tenancy began, and
  
  the relevant date,
  
  must be included in the calculation.

Welfare Reform Act 2012

1 amendment · open Act

3 insertions, 2 deletions
Amends Welfare Reform Act 2012
In Ground 8—
a in paragraph (a), for ~~“eight”~~ substitute “thirteen”;

b in paragraph (b), for ~~“two”~~ substitute “three”;

c omit paragraphs (c) and (d);
d at the end insert—
When calculating how much rent is unpaid for the purpose of this ground, if the tenant is entitled to receive an amount for housing as part of an award of universal credit under Part 1 of the Welfare Reform Act 2012, any amount that was unpaid only because the tenant had not yet received the payment of that award is to be ignored.

Reserve and Auxiliary Forces (Protection of Civil Interests) Act 1951

2 amendments · open Act

Amends Reserve and Auxiliary Forces (Protection of Civil Interests) Act 1951
The Reserve and Auxiliary Forces (Protection of Civil Interests) Act 1951 is amended as follows.
Section 202 insertions, 3 deletions
Amends Reserve and Auxiliary Forces (Protection of Civil Interests) Act 1951 — see section 20
In section 20 (modifications) as it applies otherwise than to Scotland—
a in subsection (2)—
i in the opening words, for ~~“Ground 16”~~ substitute “Ground 5C”;

ii in paragraph (b) omit ~~“statutory periodic tenancy or”~~;

b in subsection (3), in the words before paragraph (a), for ~~“16”~~ substitute “18”.

Greater London Council (General Powers) Act 1973

1 amendment · open Act

Section 252 insertions
Amends Greater London Council (General Powers) Act 1973 — see section 25
In section 25 of the Greater London Council (General Powers) Act 1973 (provision of temporary sleeping accommodation to constitute material change of use), in subsection (2)—
a in paragraph (a), after “person” insert “otherwise than under or by virtue of an assured tenancy”;

b after that paragraph insert—

aa “assured tenancy” means an assured tenancy within the meaning of Chapter 1 of Part 1 of the Housing Act 1988;

Housing Act 1985

2 amendments · open Act

Amends Housing Act 1985
The Housing Act 1985 is amended as follows.
Section 269A1 insertion, 1 deletion
Amends Housing Act 1985 — see section 269A
In section 269A of the Housing Act 1985 (appeals suggesting certain other courses of action), in subsection (2)(c), for ~~“a hazard”~~ substitute “an”.

Agricultural Holdings Act 1986

1 amendment · open Act

Schedule 31 insertion
Amends Agricultural Holdings Act 1986 — see Schedule 3
In Schedule 3 to the Agricultural Holdings Act 1986 (cases where consent of tribunal to operation of notice to quit is not required), in Part 2, in paragraph 3—
a in sub-paragraph (1), for paragraphs (c) and (d) substitute—

c premises which are to be let as a separate dwelling such that they will then be let on an assured tenancy (construing that term in accordance with Part 1 of the Housing Act 1988)—
i by the person who was the landlord under the tenancy of the agricultural holding (“the former agricultural landlord”), or

ii by another person pursuant to a contract or other agreement entered into with the former agricultural landlord under which—
A the premises are to be let as suitable alternative accommodation for the purposes of paragraph (b) of case A, and

B subsection (5ZA) of section 7 of that Act is to apply;

d premises which are to be let as a separate dwelling in any other case on terms which will afford to the tenant security of tenure reasonably equivalent to the security that would be afforded by Chapter 1 of Part 1 of that Act in a case within paragraph (c).

;

b omit sub-paragraph (2).

Local Government and Housing Act 1989

2 amendments · open Act

Amends Local Government and Housing Act 1989
The Local Government and Housing Act 1989 is amended as follows.
Amends Local Government and Housing Act 1989
1 This paragraph applies if a person fails to pay the whole or any part of a financial penalty which, in accordance with this Schedule, the person is liable to pay.

2 The local housing authority which imposed the financial penalty may recover the penalty or part on the order of the county court as if it were payable under an order of that court.

3 In proceedings before the county court for the recovery of a financial penalty or part of a financial penalty, a certificate which is—
a signed by the chief finance officer of the authority which imposed the penalty, and

b states that the amount due has not been received by a date specified in the certificate,
is conclusive evidence of that fact.

4 A certificate to that effect and purporting to be so signed is to be treated as being so signed unless the contrary is proved.

5 In this paragraph “chief finance officer” has the same meaning as in section 5 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989.

Capital Allowances Act 2001

1 amendment · open Act

Section 4901 deletion
Amends Capital Allowances Act 2001 — see section 490
In the Capital Allowances Act 2001, in section 490 (3)(b) (assured tenancy allowances), omit ~~“(but not an assured shorthold tenancy)”~~.

Police Reform Act 2002

1 amendment · open Act

Section 100
Amends Police Reform Act 2002 — see section 100
In section 100 of the Police Reform Act 2002 (Metropolitan Police Authority housing) omit subsection (4).

Homelessness Act 2002

1 amendment · open Act

Section 71 insertion
Amends Homelessness Act 2002 — see section 7
In section 7 of the Homelessness Act 2002 (events causing main homelessness duty to cease)—
a for subsection (1) substitute—

1 Section 193 of the 1996 Act (events which bring main homelessness duty to an end) is amended in accordance with subsections (3) to (5).

;

b omit subsection (2).

Finance Act 2003

1 amendment · open Act

Schedule 92 insertions, 2 deletions
Amends Finance Act 2003 — see Schedule 9
In Schedule 9 to the Finance Act 2003 (stamp duty land tax: right to buy, shared ownership leases etc)—
a in paragraph 13, in each place it occurs, for ~~“assured shorthold tenancy”~~ substitute “assured tenancy”;

b in paragraph 14, in each place it occurs, for ~~“assured shorthold tenancy”~~ substitute “assured tenancy”.

Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003

1 amendment · open Act

Section 14
Amends Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003 — see section 14
In the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003—
a in section 14 (security of tenure: anti-social behaviour) omit subsection (4);

b omit section 15;

c in Schedule 1 (demoted tenancies), omit paragraph 2(3).

Housing and Regeneration Act 2008

2 amendments · open Act

Amends Housing and Regeneration Act 2008
The Housing and Regeneration Act 2008 is amended as follows.
Section 126B1 insertion
Amends Housing and Regeneration Act 2008 — see section 126B
In section 126B of the Housing and Regeneration Act 2008 (functions of health and safety lead), in subsection (3)(b)(ii), after “hazards” insert “and type 1 and 2 requirements”.

Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions Act 2008

1 amendment · open Act

Schedule 31 insertion
Amends Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions Act 2008 — see Schedule 3
In Schedule 3 to the Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions Act 2008 (enactments specified for the purposes of Part 1), in the appropriate place, insert—
- Tenant Fees Act 2019 (c.4)

Charities Act 2011

3 amendments · open Act

3 insertions
Amends Charities Act 2011
1 The Charities Act 2011 is amended as follows.

2 In section 117 (restrictions on disposition of land: general), in subsection (2)(b)(ii), after “less” insert “or which are assured tenancies”.

3 In section 120 (requirements for leases which are for 7 years or less)—
a in the heading, after “less” insert “or which are assured tenancies”;

b in subsection (1), the words from “a lease” to the end become paragraph (a);

c after that paragraph insert
, or
b a lease that is an assured tenancy within the meaning of Chapter 1 of Part 1 of the Housing Act 1988.

Section 3310 insertions

Amends Charities Act 2011 — see section 33

1 Section 33 (consultation between Local Commissioner and other Commissioners and Ombudsmen) is amended as follows.

2 In the heading, for the words from “Local Commissioner” to the end substitute “Local Commissioner and other appropriate persons”.

3 In subsection (1)—

a for the words from “subject of an investigation” to “about the matter and,” substitute “subject of a relevant investigation, the Local Commissioner shall consult with the appropriate person about the matter and,”;

b for the words from “initiate a complaint” to the end substitute “initiate a relevant complaint in relation to which the person consulted would be the appropriate person”.

4 In subsection (2)—

a for the words from “the Parliamentary Commissioner” to “in relation to” substitute “an appropriate person in relation to”;

b for the words from “consult” to “about” substitute “consult that person about”.

5 In subsection (3)—

a for the words from “conducting an investigation” to “the complaint relates” substitute “conducting a relevant investigation, the appropriate person forms the opinion that the complaint to which the investigation relates also relates”;

b for “he”, in both places it occurs, substitute “the appropriate person”.

6 After subsection (3) insert—

3ZA Subsection (3) does not apply in relation to any of the following relevant investigations—

a an investigation by the Health Service Commissioner for England in accordance with the Act of 1993;

b an investigation by the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales in accordance with the Public Services Ombudsman (Wales) Act 2005;

c an investigation by the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman in accordance with the Act of 2002.

7 Omit subsections (3A) to (3C).

8 In subsection (4), for the words from “subsection (3)” to “subsection (2)”, substitute “subsection (3), a Local Commissioner is consulted about a relevant complaint, subsection (2)”.

9 After subsection (5) insert—

5A In this section—

a “relevant investigation” means an investigation specified in column 1 of the table;

b “relevant complaint” means a complaint specified in column 2 of the table;

c “appropriate person”—

i in relation to a relevant investigation, means the person in column 3 of the table in the row in which the investigation is specified;

ii in relation to a relevant complaint, means the person in column 3 of the table in the row in which the complaint is specified.

1	2	3
Relevant investigations	Relevant complaints	Appropriate persons
An investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner in accordance with section 5 of the Act of 1967	A complaint under the Act of 1967	The Parliamentary Commissioner
An investigation by the Health Service Commissioner for England in accordance with the Act of 1993	A complaint under the Act of 1993	The Health Service Commissioner for England
An investigation by a housing ombudsman under the Housing Act 1996	A complaint under the Housing Act 1996	The housing ombudsman
An investigation by the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman in accordance with the Act of 2002	A complaint under the Act of 2002	The Scottish Public Services Ombudsman
An investigation by the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales in accordance with the Public Services Ombudsman (Wales) Act 2005	A complaint under the Public Services Ombudsman (Wales) Act 2005	The Public Services Ombudsman for Wales
An investigation by the new homes ombudsman under the new homes ombudsman scheme (see section 136 of the Building Safety Act 2022)	A complaint under the new homes ombudsman scheme	The new homes ombudsman
An investigation under a leasehold and estate management redress scheme (see section 100 of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024)	A complaint under a leasehold and estate management redress scheme	The person responsible for overseeing and monitoring the investigation and determination of complaints under the scheme
An investigation under a landlord redress scheme (see section 64 of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025)	A complaint under a landlord redress scheme	The person responsible for overseeing and monitoring the investigation and determination of complaints under the scheme

Section 33ZA3 insertions
Amends Charities Act 2011 — see section 33ZA
1 Section 33ZA (collaborative working between Local Commissioners and others) is amended as follows.

2 In subsection (1), for the words from “jurisdiction of” to the end substitute “jurisdiction of an appropriate person, the Local Commissioner may, subject to subsection (2) below, conduct an investigation under this Part jointly with that appropriate person and any other appropriate person who, in the opinion of the Local Commissioner, has jurisdiction in relation to the matters which are the subject of the Local Commissioner’s investigation.”

3 Omit subsections (1A) and (1B).

4 In subsection (3), for the words from “investigated by” to the end substitute “investigated by an appropriate person relates partly to a matter within the Local Commissioner’s jurisdiction by virtue of this Part, the Local Commissioner may conduct an investigation under this Part jointly with that appropriate person and any other appropriate person who is also investigating the complaint.”

5 After subsection (5) insert—

6 For the purposes of this section—
a “appropriate person” means any of the following—
i the Parliamentary Commissioner;

ii the Health Service Commissioner for England;

iii a housing ombudsman;

iv the new homes ombudsman;

v an individual who investigates complaints under a redress scheme;

b “redress scheme” means—
i a leasehold and estate management redress scheme;

ii a landlord redress scheme;

c a matter is within the jurisdiction of an individual who investigates complaints under a redress scheme if it is a matter which could be the subject of an investigation under that scheme.

Localism Act 2011

2 amendments · open Act

Section 1481 insertion, 2 deletions
Amends Localism Act 2011 — see section 148
In the Localism Act 2011—
a in section 148 (duties to homeless persons) omit subsection (6)(b) and the “and” before it;

b in section 149 (duties to homeless persons: further amendments) omit subsections (2) and (4);

c in section 158 (secure and assured tenancies: transfer of tenancy)—
i omit subsection (3)(b)(i) and the “and” after it;

ii omit subsection (4)(b) and the “or” before it;

iii in subsection (8)(b), omit the words “that is not an assured shorthold tenancy”;

iv in subsection (9)(b), omit the words “that is not an assured shorthold tenancy”;

v in subsection (10), omit ~~“shorthold”~~;

d in section 159 (further provisions about transfer of tenancy under section 158), in subsection (6)(c), for “and “assured shorthold tenancy” have” substitute “has”;

e in section 162 (secure and assured tenancies: recovery of possession after tenant’s death) omit subsection (4);

f omit section 163;

g omit section 164;

h in section 184 (tenancy deposit schemes), omit subsections (10) to (13);

i in Schedule 14 (grounds on which landlord may refuse to surrender and grant tenancies), in paragraph 6 (4), in the definition of “demotion order”, omit ~~“or section 6A of the Housing Act 1988”~~.
Section 182
Amends Localism Act 2011 — see section 182
In section 182 of the Localism Act 2011 (transfer of functions to housing ombudsman), omit subsections (2) to (6).

Deregulation Act 2015

1 amendment · open Act

Section 31
Amends Deregulation Act 2015 — see section 31
In the Deregulation Act 2015—
a omit section 31;

b omit sections 33 to 41.

Immigration Act 2016

1 amendment · open Act

Section 41
Amends Immigration Act 2016 — see section 41
In section 41 of the Immigration Act 2016 (order for possession of dwelling-house), in subsection (3), omit paragraphs (c) and (d).

Homelessness Reduction Act 2017

1 amendment · open Act

Section 4
Amends Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 — see section 4
In section 4 of the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 (duty in cases of threatened homelessness) omit subsection 4.

Building Safety Act 2022

1 amendment · open Act

Section 1361 insertion
Amends Building Safety Act 2022 — see section 136
In section 33ZB (arrangements for provision of administrative and other services), for subsection (4) substitute—
4 The persons within this subsection are—

the Commission;

the Parliamentary Commissioner;

the Health Service Commissioner for England;

the person administering a scheme approved under Schedule 2 to the Housing Act 1996 (scheme for enabling complaints to be investigated by a housing ombudsman);

the new homes ombudsman;

the person maintaining the new homes ombudsman scheme under arrangements made pursuant to section 136 of the Building Safety Act 2022;

the administrator of a leasehold and estate management redress scheme;

the administrator of a landlord redress scheme.

Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013

1 amendment · open Act

Section 831 insertion
Amends Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 — see section 83
In Schedule 3 (cooperation and information sharing), in paragraph 3, for sub-paragraph (5) substitute—
5 “Relevant scheme” means any of the following—

a scheme approved under Schedule 2 to the Housing Act 1996 (housing complaints: social landlords);

a redress scheme to which persons are required by virtue of section 83 of the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (lettings agency work) to be members;

a redress scheme to which persons are required by virtue of section 84 of that Act (property management work) to be members;

the new homes ombudsman scheme;

a redress scheme within the meaning of section 100 (4) of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 (leasehold and estate management redress schemes);

a landlord redress scheme within the meaning of section 64(2) of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025.

Land Compensation Act 1973

2 amendments · open Act

Section 33D8 insertions, 1 deletion
Amends Land Compensation Act 1973 — see section 33D
Part 2 Amendments of other Acts

1 Section 33D of the Land Compensation Act 1973 (loss payments: exclusions) is amended as follows.

2 In subsection (4)—
a in paragraph (b), after “hazard” insert “or type 1 requirement”, and

b in paragraph (c), after “hazard” insert “or type 2 requirement”.

3 In subsection (5)—
a in paragraph (a), after “hazard” insert “or type 1 requirement”, and

b in paragraph (b), after “hazard” insert “or type 2 requirement”.

39 Housing Act 1985
In section 269A of the Housing Act 1985 (appeals suggesting certain other courses of action), in subsection (2)(c), for ~~“a hazard”~~ substitute “an”.
40 Housing and Regeneration Act 2008
In section 126B of the Housing and Regeneration Act 2008 (functions of health and safety lead), in subsection (3)(b)(ii), after “hazards” insert “and type 1 and 2 requirements”.
41 Housing and Planning Act 2016
In section 40 (4) of the Housing and Planning Act 2016 (offences under sections 30(1) and 32(1) of the Housing Act 2004), after “on” insert “, or a failure to meet a requirement by,”.
42 Tenant Fees Act 2019
In Schedule 3 to the Tenant Fees Act 2019 (financial penalties), in paragraph 12 (1), after paragraph (c) insert—

ca the activities of a superior landlord in relation to such a tenancy,

.
Section 33D4 insertions
Amends Land Compensation Act 1973 — see section 33D
1 Section 33D of the Land Compensation Act 1973 (loss payments: exclusions) is amended as follows.

2 In subsection (4)—
a in paragraph (b), after “hazard” insert “or type 1 requirement”, and

b in paragraph (c), after “hazard” insert “or type 2 requirement”.

3 In subsection (5)—
a in paragraph (a), after “hazard” insert “or type 1 requirement”, and

b in paragraph (b), after “hazard” insert “or type 2 requirement”.

dwelling-house—
(in the provisions relating to remedying of hazards)	section 10A
(in the provisions relating to repairing obligations)	section 16

Renters’ Rights Act 2025

24A Opting out

4A Assured tenancies to be periodic with rent period not exceeding a month

4B Assured tenancy: prohibition of rent in advance (except initial rent)

Part 1 Application of Chapter 1 of Part 1 to existing tenancies

2 Section 1: start of deemed rent period for existing tenancies

3 Section 2: claim form for section 21 possession proceedings already requested

4 Section 2: claim form for section 21 possession proceedings not already requested

5 Section 3(2)(g): saving of section 7(7) in relation to tenancies where fixed term ends before commencement date

6 Section 6: no effect on rent increases before commencement date

7 Sections 12, 13 and 15: provision of information in writing

8 Section 15: no liability in respect of conduct before commencement date

9 Section 20: no effect on notice to quit given before commencement date

10 Section 24: existing opt-out notices for assured agricultural occupancies

11 Section 26: tenancy deposits

12 Section 27: tenant fees

13 Schedule 1: student accommodation ground

14 Schedule 1: stepping stone accommodation ground

15 Schedule 1: redevelopment ground

16 Claim form for section 8 possession proceedings already requested

17 Claim form for section 8 possession proceedings not already requested

18 Interpretation

6A Demotion because of anti-social behaviour

Chapter 2 of Part 1 — Assured shorthold tenancies (sections 19A onwards)

8ZA Disapplication of conditions where notice dispensed with

11A Possession on ground 6B: compensation of tenant

11 Payment of removal expenses by social landlords.

13A Increases of rent under relevant low-cost tenancies

13B Challenge to validity of notice to increase rent

14ZA Effect of determination: rent payable

14ZB Effect of determination: proposed new rent

16A Requesting consent to keep a pet

16B Requests for consent to keep a pet: further provision

Schedule 2ZA

Financial penalties under sections 16I and 16K

Notice of intent

4 Right to make representations

Final notice

9 Withdrawal or amendment of notice

10 Appeals

11 Recovery of financial penalty

Proceeds of financial penalties

44 Application to Crown Property.

3D Fixed term tenancies of more than 21 years

3E Fixed term tenancies of 7 to 21 years granted before the Renters’ Rights Act 2025

3F Regulated home purchase plans

1A Increased rent

Other provision about rent in advance

5A Pre-tenancy payments of rent: prohibitions

5B Effect of a breach of section 5A

1 Unlawful eviction and harassment of occupier.

1A Financial penalty for offence under section 1

5 Validity of notices to quit.

13 Interpretation

Additional standards for certain housing in England

2A Power to set standards for qualifying residential premises

2B Qualifying residential premises

Part 1 Amendments of Housing Act 2004

Schedule A1

Procedure and appeals relating to financial penalties under section 6A

Notice of intent

4 Right to make representations

Final notice

9 Withdrawal or amendment of notice

10 Appeals

11 Recovery of financial penalty

Proceeds of financial penalties

A1 Service of improvement notices: qualifying residential premises which fail to meet type 1 and 2 requirements

B1 Service of improvement notices: homelessness accommodation (whether or not it is qualifying residential premises)

Schedule A1

Procedure and appeals relating to financial penalties under section 6A

4 Right to make representations

Final notice

9 Withdrawal or amendment of notice

10 Appeals

11 Recovery of financial penalty

Proceeds of financial penalties

215 Sanctions for non-compliance

B1 Service of improvement notices: homelessness accommodation (whether or not it is qualifying residential premises)

3A Buildings occupied by students: England