As possession rules and tenancy terms set for major overhaul and is expected to pass within months, the legislation will fundamentally reshape tenancy management in England. Fixed-term agreements and Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions are both set to be scrapped. Conor Maher, Solicitor Advocate is a specialist in dispute resolution, he said the reforms represent advances and stated this will be: “a significant shift towards tenant security, transparency and regulatory oversight”.
He continued:” Landlords need to prepare now, not later, for the sweeping changes which will come into effect once the Bill passes its final legislative stages after the summer parliamentary recess.”
Dan Flynn, another solicitor, reinforced the message. “The scale of these reforms means landlords can’t afford to wait,” he said. “Failing to prepare risks costly disputes and compliance breaches once the law is enacted.”
The seminar series highlighted the sweeping reforms under the Renters’ Rights Bill
and the Bournemouth event formed part of the companies solicitors’ nationwide series focused on helping landlords and letting agents navigate the pending Renters’ Rights Bill.
Discussions centred on major policy shifts, including:
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Replacing fixed-term contracts with open-ended tenancies,
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Granting tenants the right to keep pets, barring valid objection;
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Banning rental bidding wars and enforcing new transparency rules
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Limiting rent increases and capping advance payments to one month’s rent
In addition to tenancy reform, letting agents are set to face more stringent Anti-Money Laundering (AML) requirements from May 2025. Under the new rules, agents must vet both tenants and landlords against the UK’s financial sanctions list after an offer is made, but before any contracts are signed or payments collected.
Suspected or confirmed matches must be reported immediately to the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI), with non-compliance carrying serious penalties. These include unlimited fines and custodial sentences of up to seven years for the most severe breaches.
A senior associate cautioned that the new AML regime poses “significant operational and legal consequences for letting professionals and landlords alike.”
During a Q&A session at the Bournemouth event, landlord attendees raised concerns about how the abolition of Section 21 would impact their ability to regain possession, especially in cases of rent arrears or antisocial behaviour.
Flynn acknowledged the unease: “Many landlords are understandably concerned about the future of possession rights. While the Bill aims to protect tenants, it’s essential that landlords understand how they can still navigate the legal framework to maintain control over their properties—legally and fairly.”
Matthew Clake who chaired the session, confirmed that further seminars will be held in the run-up to implementation to help landlords adjust.
One local landlord who attended the event, Helen Rowe, described the session as “invaluable”. She added: “I’ve got three properties in Dorset. I’ve always tried to be fair, but the changes feel overwhelming—it’s helpful to know where I stand legally and what I can do now to prepare.”
These new duties add to an already expanding compliance landscape—including EPC regulations, gas safety checks, and the proposed extension of the Decent Homes Standard to private landlords for the first time.
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