MHCLG PRS Newsletter – August 2025- RENTERS RIGHTS BILL UPDATE

Published: 02 September 2025

Welcome

Dear colleagues

Welcome to the August PRS Newsletter.

While many have been enjoying a well-earned summer break, things have been moving at pace with the Renters’ Rights Bill. Since we last wrote to you, the Bill has made significant progress, completing two further stages in the House of Lords.

Report Stage took place over three lively sittings in July. This gave all members of the Lords a further opportunity to examine and propose amendments – or changes – to the Bill. The majority of amendments tabled at Report Stage did not go to vote. However, those that did were on a range of issues, including extending the Decent Homes Standard to Ministry of Defence service accommodation, a new possession ground for carers, and introducing a pet damage deposit.

You may be wondering what’s next for these amendments. They will be considered as part of a later stage of the Bill, known as Commons Consideration of Lords Amendments, or more snappily, ‘ping pong’. If the Commons disagrees then the Bill returns to the Lords and so on.

Third Reading for the Bill was completed on Monday 21st July, the day before the beginning of parliamentary recess. During recess, neither the House of Commons nor the House of Lords meets to conduct business. We will therefore be taking a short break from this newsletter, before returning to report on the Bill’s final stages in the Autumn.

The good news is you don’t have too long to wait. We have already had confirmation that the first round of ‘ping pong’ in the House of Commons is expected to take place on Monday 8th September.

And of course, parliamentary recess does not mean there will be any shortage of activity in the PRS Division.

We have highlighted new opportunities to contribute to a major consultation on the Decent Homes Standard, and for local councils to reflect on the new ‘Duty to Report’. Our teams are also seeking input on the future of Tenancy Deposit Protection scheme and on rent-to-rent arrangements. Additionally, there is lots of exciting work taking place to develop and test the new Private Rented Sector (PRS) Database, which we’ve shared in this edition’s ‘Deep Dive.’ Alongside this, we will be focusing on secondary legislation for the Bill and our wider work to prepare the sector for the reforms.

As always, you can access information on the Bill via UK Parliament: https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3764.

You can also find updated information through the Guide to the Renters’ Rights Bill: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guide-to-the-renters-rights-bill/82ffc7fb-64b0-4af5-a72e-c24701a5f12a.

Over summer, if you have any reflections on the Bill or want to let us know how you are preparing for implementation, please do get in touch via: PRSStrategyandEngagement@communities.gov.uk.

If you are taking one, we hope you have a restful summer break.

Guy Horsington and Stephanie Kvam

Deputy Directors, Private Rented Sector Division, MHCLG

Deep Dive: Private Rented Sector (PRS) Database

In every newsletter, we take a deep dive into a different area of the PRS. This month, we’re focusing on the PRS Database, and the benefits it will bring the private rented sector.

Over the past few newsletters, you might have spotted invitations to attend our user research sessions for the new Private Rented Sector (PRS) Database. Some of you may have even participated.

An iteration of the PRS Database is currently being tested with users and soon, a pilot will be launched with a small group of local councils and landlords. This aims to test some of the functionality of the database and is just one in a number of planned pilots.

But what is the PRS Database, and how will it help support the private rented sector?

Currently, there is no central record of private rented properties and private landlords in England. This can cause a number of problems, including for enforcement against criminal landlords. One of the biggest and most time-consuming barriers faced by local councils is identifying poor quality and non-compliant private rented sector properties and who owns them.

The Database will provide local councils with a trusted and consistent intelligence source on private rented sector properties. All landlords of assured and regulated tenancies will be legally required to register themselves and their properties on the database. They could be subject to penalties if they market or let out a property without registering it and providing the required information.

Having access to this data will give local councils a better oversight of the private rented sector in their area and improve administration, allowing them to focus on taking action against criminal landlords.

There are benefits for landlords and tenants too.

The Database will allow landlords to access relevant guidance through a single ‘front door’. This will help landlords understand their obligations and demonstrate compliance. The Database will also be used for communicating changes to requirements – ensuring landlords have access to simple up-to-date information about their responsibilities.

For tenants, the Database will increase transparency and the information available before they decide to rent a property and throughout their renting journey.

To make sure the PRS Database is as useful as possible for the sector, we have been engaging with stakeholders to better understand their requirements. Following testing, we aim for the service to be operational as soon as possible following the passage of primary and secondary legislation.

We will continue to keep the sector updated on progress. If you are interested in finding out more, please contact: PRSDatabase@communities.gov.uk

Get involved

Launch of Decent Homes Standard consultation

On 2 July the government launched a consultation on plans for a new Decent Homes Standard (DHS), which will be extended to privately rented homes. This will apply new requirements ensuring homes are free from damp and mould and other hazards. You can access the consultation here: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/consultation-on-a-reformed-decent-homes-standard-for-social-and-privately-rented-homes

As well as outlining the content of the proposed DHS, the consultation outlines our plans for its enforcement by local authorities, and sets out a proposed timeline for implementation in the PRS.

The consultation will run until 10th September 2025, and MHCLG would welcome responses from any interested parties, including local authority enforcement teams. If you have any questions on the proposals, or would like to have a conversation about them, please contact Robyn Casey at robyn.casey@communities.gov.uk

Feedback on local council enforcement data collection

We have launched a new voluntary data collection on private rented sector (PRS) enforcement activity. This is ahead of the new ‘Duty to Report’ included in the Renters’ Rights Bill, which will require local authorities to collect and report PRS enforcement data. Local council enforcement teams have been sent details of the data we are seeking to collect.

We are grateful for local council engagement on this topic and invite local councils to get in touch on PRSDataReturn@communities.gov.uk with any questions or feedback you may have, or if you wish to request a copy of these documents.

Shape future Tenancy Deposit Protection

There are lots of upcoming opportunities to help shape government policy on Tenancy Deposit Protection.
The department is looking to engage with a wide range of interested PRS stakeholders to discuss the long-term future of the Tenancy Deposit Protection system.

If interested, please email TDPschemes@communities.gov.uk. Also, please do sign up to the government’s Contracts Finder to keep up to date with all TDP engagement opportunities.

Let us know your experiences with Rent-to-Rent arrangements

We are looking to improve our knowledge and understanding of rent-to-rent arrangements. If you have experience of rent-to-rent, either as a tenant or a landlord in a rent-to-rent chain, we would like to invite you to an informal interview which would take around 30 minutes, to hear more about your experience.

If interested, please email shira.tzur@communities.gov.uk.

Wider housing news

Housing Loss Advice Prevention Service: Preventing eviction/housing loss

The Housing Loss Advice Prevention Service (HLPAS) provides government-funded legal advice and representation (legal aid) to people facing possession proceedings which could result in the loss of their homes. If somebody receives a notice that they are being evicted, or are being illegally evicted from their home, they will be eligible to receive this free legal assistance.

The HLPAS is delivered by housing law experts and is provided in two stages. The first stage involves giving tenants legal advice on housing, welfare benefits and debt issues, with the aim of resolving problems early and avoiding court proceedings where possible. The second stage provides in-court legal representation during possession hearings for those tenants whose cases cannot be solved out of court.

To find nearby HLPAS providers, simply type your postcode and tick the box ‘Housing Loss Prevention Advice Service’ on GOV.UK on this webpage: https://find-legal-advice.justice.gov.uk/.

We want to make sure that people facing the loss of their home are aware of the support to which they are entitled. If you work for a local council or an advice provider, we would encourage you to share this information on your guidance pages.

Resolving housing issues through My Housing Issue Gateway

The TDS Charitable Foundation have developed My Housing Issue Gateway. This is a signposting tool to guide private renters toward the right dispute resolution mechanism or service; a resource hub providing tailored information about housing rights and options; and a personal diagnostic tool to encourage early resolution of disputes wherever possible. Information and signposting for social renters can also be found through the tool.

It was developed in collaboration with several organisations representing tenants, landlords, agents and advice services.

Further information on the Gateway can be found here: https://www.tdsfoundation.org.uk/post/my-housing-issue-gateway.

The Gateway itself can be found here: https://www.myhousinggateway.org.uk/.