ASTs become period tenancies (i.e. rolling contracts). This means that they continue indefinitely until ended by a notice from the tenant or a notice from the landlord for specific reasons

​New Tenancy Structure where at the start of the tenancy, landlords must give the tenant a written statement of the terms of the tenancy. Rent cannot be taken in advance of the tenancy agreement being signed, but the deposit can be.

​​Clearer grounds for termination and limits on ‘no-fault’ evictions. Section 21 evictions will be abolished and a tenant can end a tenancy at any point by serving a two-month notice in writing on the landlord. Where the landlord wants to move in or sell the property, they won’t be able to do this during the first 12 months of a tenancy.

New Rules on Rent Increases. Only 1 month's rent in advance may be accepted. Rents can only be increased once per year by serving a Section 13 notice, and tenants must receive at least two months’ notice. Tenants can challenge unfair rent increases via the First Tier Tribunal. Once a year, landlords will be able to increase rents up to the market rate (defined as the price that would be achieved for the property as a newly advertised let) by issuing a Section 13 notice which sets out the new rent and gives at least 2 months’ notice before it takes effect.

Restriction on Rent Bidding. This require landlords and letting agents to publish the asking rent for the property. Prospective tenants can be asked to bid up to the advertised amount, but cannot be encouraged to bid over that amount, and no offer over the advertised amount can be accepted.

A landlord may not unreasonably refuse a request from a tenant to keep a pet. Landlords must respond to pet requests within 28 days.

If a super landlord (such as a freeholder) does not allow pets then this is a reasonable basis to not allow a pet.

New Standards for Private Rented Homes. Private rented homes must meet the Decent Homes Standard. This includes being safe and well-maintained, free from serious hazards, fit for human habitation, and in compliance with Awaab’s Law. In practice, this means responding promptly to damp and mould issues should they arise at the property.

Expanded local authority powers for enforcement.  Local councils will enforce the new rules with penalties resulting in a £7,000 fine for a first offence, rising to £40,000 for repeat offences.  Redress schemes can also deal with complaints from tenants and require payment of damages or remove a landlord from the scheme for serious breaches.

Landlords must not discriminate against prospective tenants on the basis that they might or will have children living at or regularly visiting the property, or that they are, or may be, in receipt of benefits.

Landlords will still be able to carry out affordability checks and not grant a tenancy based on income. In certain circumstances, landlords can refuse to let to a household with children if it is a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim. For example, it may be reasonable to refuse to allow children if it would lead to the property being legally defined as overcrowded.

New Landlrod Registration and Redress requirements i.e. all landlords must register with the Private Rented Sector Database and join the new Landlord Ombudsman, who will resolve disputes