The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 (RRA) is not just about new tenancy types or ending “no-fault” evictions. It also reshapes how landlords and agents must advertise, screen, and manage tenants from the very first day of marketing a property.
In today’s article — the fourth in our five-part series — we focus on the day-one compliance measures every landlord should be implementing right now. These rules tackle rental bidding, discrimination, rent in advance, and pet requests, all designed to make the private rented sector fairer and more transparent.
Advertising and the End of Rental Bidding
The RRA bans the practice of rental bidding — where landlords or agents invite or accept offers above the advertised rent.
What This Means in Practice
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You must now publish a clear asking rent for every property.
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You cannot invite, encourage, or accept bids above that stated figure.
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Listings and marketing materials must reflect the fixed asking rent only.
This rule applies to both online and in-branch advertising. Letting agents should review their property portal listings, automated emails, and staff scripts to ensure no references remain to “offers over” or “guide rent.”
Tip for Landlords
Keep a written record of how your asking rent was set. Evidence of a fair market rate can protect you if disputes arise later.
Fair Access to Renting: Ending Discrimination
The Act makes it illegal to discriminate against potential tenants on the basis of family status or income source.
That means:
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No “No DSS,” “No benefits,” or “No children” statements in advertising.
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No rejecting applicants solely because they receive benefits or have children.
Landlords can still apply reasonable affordability and referencing criteria, but these must be applied consistently to all applicants.
How to Comply
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Update your advertising templates, letting software, and website listings.
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Review staff training and application scripts.
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Replace blanket restrictions with objective criteria — for example, income-to-rent ratios or guarantor options.
This change is about transparency and equality, not removing landlords’ ability to assess risk.
Limits on Rent in Advance
Under the RRA, landlords can no longer demand large rent payments upfront as a condition of securing a tenancy.
The New Rule
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Before the tenancy starts: landlords may ask for no more than one month (or 28 days) of rent in advance once an agreement is signed.
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Once the tenancy begins: you cannot enforce clauses requiring rent to be paid early or ahead of schedule.
This reform ensures tenants are not priced out of properties due to excessive upfront costs — and aligns with the Act’s broader goal of accessibility.
Compliance Steps
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Remove any clauses in your agreements requiring multi-month payments in advance.
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Review your referencing process to ensure you are not indirectly breaching this rule by asking tenants for higher up-front sums.
Pets in Rental Homes: The Right to Request
The RRA gives tenants a new legal right to request permission to keep a pet, and landlords must not unreasonably refuse.
While landlords can still protect their property, this change creates a balanced framework for pet ownership in rented homes.
How to Manage Requests
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Respond to pet requests promptly and in writing.
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Only refuse if you have reasonable grounds, such as building restrictions or property unsuitability.
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You may require the tenant to cover pet-related damage through the existing tenancy deposit (within the legal cap).
Practical Tip
Develop a clear pet policy now — outlining what types of animals are acceptable, what insurance you require, and how pet-related wear and tear will be managed.
Updating Documentation and Procedures
To stay compliant, landlords and agents must now bring all documentation in line with the new Act:
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Tenancy Agreements
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Remove fixed terms and rent-review clauses.
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Add a clear statement explaining the Section 13 rent increase process.
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Application and Referencing Forms
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Strip out any “rent in advance” or “No DSS” references.
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Add a declaration confirming non-discriminatory practices.
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Staff Training and Internal Policies
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Update staff handbooks to reflect rental bidding, discrimination, and pet rules.
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Introduce a Fair Access Statement for use in marketing materials and applicant packs.
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Advertising Platforms and Portals
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Check that all listings clearly show one fixed rent price only.
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Review automated systems for any wording that might imply bidding or exclusion.
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What Happens If You Don’t Comply
Non-compliance could result in fines, enforcement action, or reputational damage — especially as councils and the forthcoming PRS Database will make it easier to monitor landlords.
In serious or repeated cases, penalties of up to £40,000 can apply under the new enforcement powers introduced by the Act.
Coming Up Tomorrow
In Day Five, we’ll bring it all together with The Landlord’s 90-Day Playbook — a practical, step-by-step guide to preparing for implementation, from paperwork and evidence-building to registration and tenant communication.
Contact NetRent
Telephone: 01352 721300
Email: support@netrent.co.uk
Legal Disclaimer
NetRent does not provide legal advice. The content of this article represents our understanding of rental property law as of November 2025 and is intended for general informational purposes only. Landlords and tenants should seek independent legal or professional advice before taking action based on this material.