The landscape of rental housing is evolving with the introduction of the New Renters’ Rights Bill, bringing significant changes that landlords must adapt to and it is expected to pass into law in Summer 2025. As the Bill is currently written, the implementation of the new legislation for both new and existing tenancies is due to take place on the same day – so no allowance for phasing in or out.

Whether you own a single rental property or manage multiple units, staying informed is key to maintaining compliance and fostering positive tenant relationships. Here are the top seven things landlords need to know:

1. Tenancy Periods

The new legislation will mean that landlords and tenants will no longer agree fixed term tenancy periods – the death of ASTs …. Instead, tenancies will run from month to month until either the tenant serves notice, or the landlord meets on of the grounds for regaining possession of the property. Furthermore, the first 12 months of a tenancy is protected for tenants – landlords will not be allowed to move back into the property nor sell it (unless they sell to another landlord who can take the tenancy over.) These tenancies will be known as assured periodic tenancies.

📌 Tip: Get your new tenancy agreements drawn up ahead of time.

2. Stronger Protections Against Evictions

One of the biggest shifts in the new bill is the tightening of eviction rules. In many cases, landlords will now need to provide legitimate reasons for ending a tenancy, such as property sale or the landlord moving in. "No-fault" evictions are being phased out, meaning tenants have greater security in their homes.

📌 Tip: Always document any lease violations or late payments carefully. If you need to evict a tenant, follow the legal process to avoid fines or disputes.

3. Stricter Rent Increase Regulations

The new bill places caps on rent hikes to prevent landlords from imposing excessive increases. Some jurisdictions now require a longer notice period for rent adjustments, and landlords may need to justify any substantial increases.

📌 Tip: Check your local regulations before raising rent and ensure any increase aligns with the legal limits. Transparency with tenants can also prevent disputes.

4. Enhanced Property Maintenance Standards

Landlords will face stricter obligations regarding property maintenance. Minimum housing standards will be enforced more rigorously, requiring landlords to ensure properties are safe, habitable, and well-maintained at all times.

📌 Tip: Conduct regular property inspections and address repairs promptly to avoid penalties. Preventive maintenance can save you money in the long run!

5. New Regulations on Security Deposits

Many new laws limit the amount landlords can charge for security deposits and mandate faster return timelines after a tenant moves out. Some areas even require interest payments on held deposits.

📌 Tip: Keep a separate, dedicated account for security deposits and document any deductions thoroughly to avoid legal disputes.

6. More Tenant Rights on Pets

Some jurisdictions are introducing laws that restrict blanket pet bans in rental properties. Landlords may be required to accommodate pets unless they pose a serious issue (e.g., health risks in shared housing).

📌 Tip: If you’re concerned about potential damage, consider pet deposits or pet rent instead of outright bans. Clear pet policies in the lease can help prevent issues.

7. Increased Penalties for Non-Compliance

Fines and legal consequences for landlords who fail to follow the new rules are steeper than ever. Some laws allow tenants to sue for wrongful evictions, and non-compliance with rental regulations can result in hefty fines or legal action.

📌 Tip: Stay informed, update your lease agreements, and consult a legal professional if you’re unsure about compliance. Investing in legal knowledge now can save you from expensive penalties later.

Final Thoughts

The New Renters’ Rights Bill is designed to create fairer and more transparent rental markets, but it also brings new responsibilities for landlords. By staying proactive, understanding the changes, and maintaining open communication with tenants, landlords can successfully navigate this new legal landscape while protecting their investments.

Our client, Amelio Solar Energy, works within the sustainable energy field, helping business and homeowners reduce their electricity bills and carbon footprint by supplying and installing solar panels onto their buildings. They also have a sister business, installing EV chargers.

The business has seen rapid growth in recent times through successfully securing large contracts with schools and hospitals and, as a result, needed larger premises. Richard Jones, managing director of Amelio, made a decision to buy a commercial property rather than continue to rent and was advised to buy through a SIPP (self-invested personal pension).

Richard knew of Funding Round from a previous discussion and when his financial adviser recommended us he decided we were the broker for him. Why waste energy talking to anyone else?!

Product

Buying commercial property through a SIPP is a very tax-efficient way of purchasing but much more complex from a commercial property mortgage perspective. As a broker there are multiple people to deal with - the client, the lender, the pension provider and the vendor – and a far higher level of scrutiny and regulation to be complied with.

It requires a commercial finance broker with experience, expertise and knowledge of commercial mortgage lenders – that’s where Funding Round excels. We found a lender that not only offered a good rate but was happy to lend a relatively small amount without early repayment penalties.

Service

Whilst Richard Jones and his team at Amelio Solar Energy focused on continuing to grow, Funding Round took control of the deal and moved the project forward. Whilst frustrating at times, with valuations and regulation slowing the process down, Richard very much appreciated the role that we took and the time that we invested in getting the deal over the line.

We smoothed the path for all those involved, ensuring that the client, the lender, the vendor and pension provider were all happy with the final outcome. And, we took the time to find a lender that dealt with smaller lending amounts (most lenders aren’t interested unless the mortgage amount is over £150,000).

Richard sums up how he found working with Funding Round,

"Buying commercial premises within your pension fund seems like a simple idea, but in reality it’s surprisingly complex! The complexity was further exacerbated by it being a new build. Funding Round secured a product that was well structured for my needs, including no early repayment fees which is a real bonus. But more importantly, Lucy took personal responsibility for updating all parties throughout the process, ensuring that no detail was missed and resolving issues to get the completion over the line. Without a shadow of a doubt, Lucy’s contribution saved me an immense amount of time, effort and energy!  The team at Funding Round are definitely to be recommended!”.

Just like Amelio and its green energy solutions, Funding Round provides the best solutions for optimum performance and maximum financial returns.

Whether you're a first-time developer or a seasoned pro, financing your property development or investment project can seem complex. With so many property finance options available, it can be hard to know which one is best. Costs vary, depending on the type of financing you choose, so it’s vital to find the best option for your needs.

What are the different property finance options?

Let's explore the most common finance options for property development and investment so you can decide which is right for you.

Development Finance 

This is short-term finance which can be used to construct new buildings, and the drawdown of finance is often staged in line with the development of the property or project. The loan is secured against the property being developed, which means that the lender has a stake in the project. They’ll also charge fees and interest on the loan.

For any development project, particularly ground-up development, you need to work out the extent, timeline, and cost of your project. This will enable development finance professionals to properly structure your finance which is always crucial in any development project.

Buy-to-let mortgage

Are you looking to purchase properties to rent them out? If so, a buy-to-let mortgage could be the ideal long-term financing option. It will give you the capital you need to purchase and improve a property without having to sell the property to repay the loan. Developers can use the cash flow from their buy-to-let properties to finance the construction of new buildings and renovate existing properties. 

Buy-to-let mortgages typically have lower interest rates than other types of loans, making them an attractive option for developers looking to maximise their profits.

Commercial mortgage

Property investors working on commercial buildings rather than residential properties can take out a commercial mortgage for investment purposes. Similar to high street mortgages, commercial mortgages are secured against the building in question. However, this time, the property will be a shop, factory, office, or other commercial building. It may include some residential accommodation, putting it into a semi-commercial category.

Any lender will be interested in who your tenant is, or will be, in the property,. Another key aspect to be reviewed will be the lease and rental arrangements with your tenant – expect to share the formal lease contract with your selected lender. 

Because a commercial mortgage is secured against a property, they usually come with better interest rates than conventional business loans.

Bridging loans

Bridging loans can be used for both commercial and residential property projects. These involve short-term lending to facilitate property purchase, refurbishment or cover costs towards the end of a project. Many property developers use them to ‘bridge the gap’ between other forms of lending. For instance, you may take out a bridging loan whilst waiting for the completion of a mortgage application or to exit development finance pending the sale of the completed properties.

If you’re planning to rent out your properties, you may also want to consider a buy-to-let bridging loan, specifically tailored for this purpose. 

The key to either of these options is knowing what refurbishment will be undertaken as lenders have different products for light and heavy refurbishment.

Auction finance

You can often find cheap properties at auction but must have full capital to buy a building this way. Some lenders specialise in offering finance for property purchases at auction. The key here is speed to accessing the finance as you may have as little as 28 days to complete the purchase. Also, make sure your solicitor will have the capacity to complete in the allotted timeframe! 

Pension lending

Those with a self-invested personal pension (SIPP) or a small, self-administered scheme (SSAS), may wish to apply for property-backed, pension-linked borrowing. This structured finance solution enables you to purchase a commercial property through a pension scheme. As you would expect, there is much legislation associated with this type of lending and not all lenders offer this product. 

Long-term financing advice from Funding Round

When exploring your financing options for property development and investment, you need to work out the extent, timeline, and cost of your project. The key to any successful development project is how it is structured. Funding Round can then help you find the best type of short or long-term financing for your needs, plus the optimum structure for you to maximise your return.

As an independent finance broker, we offer a personalised service to help property developers make an informed decision on the most appropriate financial solutions. For more advice, contact Funding Round today.