Landlords’ new duty to inform — key changes introduced by the Renters’ Rights Act 2025
We explain the new duty to give tenants required written information, including the official Information Sheet and key terms for new periodic tenancies.
Pace has been gathering for reform of the Right to Buy scheme with local authorities and Government calling for changes to the scheme including a change to the amounts of receipts and the use of them. Angela Rayner, Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities is considering abolishing the Right to Buy scheme for newly built council houses and cutting the discount offered to existing tenants as part of a ‘council housing revolution’.
Here, we outline the key recommendations presented in a report on the future of council housing ahead of the Autumn Budget.
Securing the future of council housing
It’s understood that Ms Rayner attended an urgent meeting prior to the release of the Securing the Future of Council Housing report which followed an earlier interim report’s reference to “our country’s broken council housing finances” and to future council housing being “in danger”.
Commissioned by 20 local authorities and signed by over 100 council landlords, the report explores the current state of British housing stock and makes five recommendations to secure council housing.
These include reducing the available discount (something enacted by Tony Blair’s government) to allow local authorities to keep 100% of Right to Buy receipts for reinvestment in social housing and removing the time limit for spending receipts. The report also proposes amending tenants’ eligibility from three to fifteen years as well as allowing the cost floor to be increased in line with inflation and not be time limited. The local authorities also called for the right to not apply to new build houses or those which have been retrofitted or otherwise improved, as well as flexibility to shape the scheme according to local requirements.
Will the Right to Acquire be affected?
Introduced by Margaret Thatcher’s government in the 1980s, the Right to Buy scheme was extended to tenants of housing associations in 2015 and followed by the introduction of the Right to Acquire.
While it’s worth noting that there has been no mention of the Right to Acquire in the report, given that the discounts available are substantially lower than for Right to Buy it’s unlikely that this will be affected.
Will the recommendations be enacted?
It’s unknown at this time whether the above recommendations will be enacted in full, or the scheme will be abolished in its entirety. The report is only signed by local authorities and doesn’t cover the Preserved Right to Buy offered by housing associations — however, we know that many of our housing association clients share these views and would equally welcome such changes.
Right to Buy schemes have already been abolished in Scotland (2016), Wales (2019) and Northern Ireland (2022) and it’s thought that the new Labour Government will want to follow suit or certainly radically reform it, given the origins of the scheme.
It’s thought that a consultation on proposals will be launched in the autumn Budget, which is expected later this month.
It’s clear that homes sold through Right to Buy are not being replaced with the same number of new homes. It’s been reported that in the last financial year 10,896 homes were sold through Right to Buy but only 3,447 had been replaced. With the Government’s promise to increase the number of social and affordable rented housing, we expect the Government to seek to reduce the number of social housing homes being lost in this way. We will of course monitor the progress of any proposed reforms and how they may impact the sector.
Talk to us
If you need advice on how to prepare for the ‘council housing revolution’, get in touch with our experienced property lawyers.
With one of the UK’s largest dedicated housing law teams, we handle the full range of matters for regional and national affordable housing providers, housebuilders and leasehold management companies.
Talk to us by giving us a call, sending us an email or completing our contact form below.
Talk to us
Loading form...
Related insights
What the Government’s latest LGPS consultation means for employers & the social housing sector
We explore what the proposals could mean for administering authorities, participating employers, scheme members and organisations across social housing.
Modernising mental health law — key changes under the 2025 Act that social housing providers need to know
We look at the core changes introduced by the Mental Health Act 2025 and outline what they’re likely to mean in practice for social housing providers.
Making Places Work — new study reveals the most improved places in the North of England
Our award-winning regeneration team has launched a new report that uncovers how life and work across the North of England has changed since the millennium.
The Crime & Policing Bill — what registered providers of social housing need to be aware of
We examine the Crime and Policing Bill's proposals and outline what RPs need to know to prepare for the changes ahead.
Awaab’s Law — what social landlords must build into their development agreements
We explore how statutory duties introduced by Awaab's Law interact with development agreements and what social landlords need to consider going forward.
Mazur v Charles Russell Speechlys — 5 key takeaways for social housing providers (for now)
We explore the implications of Mazur, its unanswered questions and what to watch out for as the appeal progresses.
Southern Housing v Emmanuel — what landlords need to know about forced access
We explore the judgment and what it means for landlords when tenants refuse access for essential safety checks.
Awaab’s Law — new requirements for social landlords from October 2025
Social landlords will have greater requirements to address hazards under a phased approach starting in October 2025. Our housing law team shares how to prepare.
Decent Homes Standard set for reform for social & private rentals
A reformed Decent Homes Standard (DHS) could extend minimum housing standards that landlords must provide for tenants to the private rented sector.
How the Government’s 2025 Spending Review may kickstart a decade of social housing renewal
The UK’s housing sector in 2025 is undergoing major shifts, with Government reforms aiming to boost supply and affordability.
What is a seating licence? Potential pitfalls for landlords & tenants
While seating licences can provide a flexible and short-term solution, both landlords and tenants must be cautious of their common pitfalls.
Know your boundaries: navigating legal property issues in new developments
Our housing team explore what developers need to know about boundary issues — from spotting problems early to resolving disputes — to keep projects moving and stay legally compliant.
Right to Buy (RTB) leases — be warned about service charges
The Housing Act 1985 leaves significant room for interpretation and discretion in drafting, particularly around lease terms.
Respect Orders — how can housing providers address anti-social behaviour?
The Crime and Policing Bill 2025 is set to introduce new measures and enhanced powers to address ASB — including Respect Orders.
Renters’ Rights Bill — key provisions for landlords and tenants
The Renters’ Rights Bill proposes radical change to the housing law landscape and is likely to have a significant impact across both the private and social rented sectors.
Evaluating exit opportunities for Housing Associations in the Local Government Pension Scheme
Our pensions law team explore recent improvements to the LGPS funding level and share guidance for Housing Associations considering exiting the scheme.
Mortgagee Protection Clauses in residential leases — are they necessary?
We demystify Mortgagee Protection Clauses and when they should be used.
Antisocial behaviour in social housing — why nothing will change without court reform
Our housing lawyers explain the main perspectives of MPs around antisocial behaviour and the options available for landlords to bring court proceedings.
Shared Ownership — are affordable housing schemes fit for purpose?
Our housing team explores proposed changes to the shared ownership scheme and its future.
Revamped National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) — key changes for housing sector and local authorities explained
The Government has revamped the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) to pave the way for the delivery of 1.5m new homes over the next five years.
Client responsibilities under the Building Regulations Dutyholder Regime — one year on
As a ‘Client’, you must make suitable arrangements for planning, managing and monitoring your project to ensure compliance with the Building Regulations.
Court of Appeal provides procedural guidance on combined possession proceedings involving anti-social behaviour
The Court of Appeal considered the cases of Hajan v Brent LBC & Poplar HARCA v Kerr. What does this outcome mean for landlords and their communities?
Housing Associations — 5 key concerns with proposed changes to governance and funding arrangements
Our housing team explores the Law Commission's consultation concerning the legal framework that governs co-operatives and community benefit societies.
What’s the role of an Equality Act Assessor? Laidley v Metropolitan Housing Trust Ltd
The role of assessors appointed under the Equality Act 2010 has recently been explored by the High Court in Laidley v Metropolitan Housing Trust Limited.