Renters Reform Bill – What the 8th September debate means
We’re closely tracking the progress of the Renters Reform Bill through Parliament so our landlords stay ahead of the changes. The latest ‘ping-pong stage’ where the bill was pushed back on by the Commons on the 8th September will see a further sitting in the House of Lords on the 14th October – where peers will decide whether to accept the Commons’ amendments or revert to their preferred version. The main shape of the Bill is now fixed – and it’s clear that big changes to the rental sector are coming.
Key takeaways for landlords:
Section 21 is going – no-fault evictions will be abolished, and all tenancies will move to periodic. Possession will still be possible, but only on defined grounds (genuine sale, landlord move-in, arrears, or anti-social behaviour).
Rent increases will be limited – only one rent review per year, using the Section 13 process, with tenants able to challenge at tribunal.
Higher property standards & redress – landlords will need to meet Decent Homes-style standards, join a redress scheme, and register properties on a new PRS portal.
Implementation will be phased – reforms are likely to roll out from 2026 in stages (portal and redress first, Section 21 later).
What this means in practice
For landlords, the emphasis will shift from flexibility to proof and process. To protect your position, you’ll need clear records, up-to-date compliance, and robust documentation. Rent reviews and possession claims won’t be about “what you say” but what you can evidence.
How we’re preparing
We’ve already begun preparing landlord for these changes, with proactive measures in place across our Fully Managed, Rent Collection, and Tenant Find services.
These include:
Compliance oversight – ensuring every property is up to date with EPCs, gas and electrical safety, licences, deposit protection, and “How to Rent” guides.
Evidence-led management – maintaining full records of arrears, communications, and inspections to safeguard landlords in possession cases.
Portal readiness – collating all property information in a central, accessible database, ready for submission when the PRS portal launches.
Regular briefings – keeping landlords informed of every legislative milestone so they can make clear and confident investment decisions.
The 8th September session didn’t rewrite the Bill – it confirmed it. The end of Section 21 is coming, but with the right management and compliance in place, landlords can still let with confidence. Principle is here to ensure you’re protected, compliant and positioned to thrive in this new landscape.
How we can help:
We’re already preparing for these reforms and ensuring our landlords are ready. With our fully managed service, we handle:
Compliance checks and certification (gas, electrical, EPC, licensing)
Rent collection and arrears management with full paper trails.
Serving the correct notices in line with new legal frameworks.
Preparing for the PRS portal with all documents stored and organised.
Keeping you updated on legislative changes, so you don’t get caught out.
Now’s the perfect time to plan your next move – get in touch with Jaime Duffy and let’s talk about how we can help you hit your investment goals.