Landlords to scrutinise applications more closely under Renters’ Rights Bill
A referencing platform warns landlords will scrutinise tenant applications more carefully as they list tips to navigate the Renters’ Rights Bill.
Canopy says the new rules will rebalance the rental market and give stronger protections to tenants.
The referencing platform says whilst the reforms are designed to make renting fairer, it could cause confusion and dispute as landlords and renters adjust to the changes.
Landlords will be scrutinising applications more carefully
The Renters’ Rights Bill will return to Parliament on the 14th of October in the final debate before gaining Royal Assent.
Canopy says with the bill looking to become law before the end of the year, they have set up a rent passport tool to help renters provide landlords with a clearer record of their rental history.
Gary Barker, CEO of Canopy, warns landlords will scrutinise tenant applications more carefully and urge renters to prepare.
He said: “The Renters’ Rights Bill is designed to protect tenants and rebalance the rental market, but it also means landlords will be scrutinising applications more carefully. Our Rent Passport is a powerful tool in this new environment, giving renters a way to demonstrate their reliability, rental history and financial responsibility up front.
“As landlords adapt to the end of no-fault evictions and tighter rules, being able to offer that reassurance will make all the difference.”
Tenants will gain stronger protections
The platform has listed five tips on navigating the Renters’ Rights Bill for tenants and landlords, with the first focusing on securing a tenancy fairly. It warns that landlords “must stick to the advertised asking rents as bidding wars will be banned” and can no longer reject applicants because they have children or receive benefits.
Under the Renters’ Rights Bill, a Private Rented Sector Landlord Ombudsman is intended to provide quick, fair, impartial, and binding resolutions for tenants’ complaints about their landlord.
Canopy advises tenants to keep written records and warns that if landlords fail to fix serious damp or mould hazards, tenants could also escalate these issues to the Landlord Ombudsman.
Under the Decent Homes Standard, minimum housing conditions ensure properties are safe, comfortable, and energy efficient. The bill aims to extend these standards to private rented homes, with compliance deadlines set for 2035 or 2037.
The Renters’ Rights Bill will also limit rent increases to once per year, and only in line with the market rate. Tenants will be able to challenge any unfair rent increase at a rent tribunal.
Tenants may request to keep pets, and landlords cannot refuse without a valid reason. Canopy advises tenants to provide references from previous landlords to show they will maintain the property responsibly.
Canopy also urges tenants to plan ahead when moving out, giving two months’ notice, and warns that landlords will no longer be able to use Section 21, but must rely on Section 8 grounds for eviction.
Comments
Have Your Say
Every day, landlords who want to influence policy and share real-world experience add their voice here. Your perspective helps keep the debate balanced.
Not a member yet? Join In Seconds
Login with
Member Since August 2013 - Comments: 323 - Articles: 1
10:21 AM, 25th September 2025, About 7 months ago
Let’s hope that tenants pick up on this and ensure they act appropriately and maintaining a squeaky clean reference record, they are going to need it.
But I won’t be asking for references at all any longer.
Because as my properties become vacant I’m selling up.
The Renters Rights bill is the nail in the coffin for me.
Bye bye.
Member Since February 2020 - Comments: 360
10:43 AM, 25th September 2025, About 7 months ago
“The referencing platform says whilst the reforms are designed to make renting fairer, ”
By fairer they mean unfairly tilted in favour of tenants.
Member Since July 2016 - Comments: 166
10:49 AM, 25th September 2025, About 7 months ago
I would be interested in hearing views about the appetite of lenders in the post RRB world. Due to the increased risks surely it will be become harder and more expensive to obtain BTL finance which of course will further deplete supply.
Member Since March 2024 - Comments: 281
3:31 PM, 25th September 2025, About 7 months ago
Wonder when we’ll have the first outrage from Shelter or Gen Rent that tenants have what they will no doubt term ‘unfair’ records of rent arrears or antisocial behaviour against their names making it impossible to get another tenancy where they previously got to move on without any consequences in cases where the landlord chose Section 21 to end the tenancy more quickly than using S8?
And giving notice on day 1 and leaving after 2 months will ensure no business minded landlord ever gives them another chance of a tenancy – residential rents are not set at levels that make that length of stay remotely viable. Want to flit about? – use AirB&B or Booking.com and pay the going rate for the privilege.
Member Since February 2023 - Comments: 22
9:20 PM, 25th September 2025, About 7 months ago
Renter rights bill are believed by so many who are not either landlords or tenants believing they are the savoirs of tenants. You are just bringing unbalance where both of the suffers. We can’t send rogue tenant out easily. Landlord will make loss without initial 12 months lock in period. Tenants won’t get property unless they prove they have permanent job. Tenants can’t vacate property with 1 month notice any more, always have to provide 2 months notice on rent renewal date, if you miss 1 day you may end up giving 3 months notice even if I stayed in property for 5 years. Every proposal is not practical. Waste of our tax money on unimportant stuff. Apart from abolition of section 21 everything else is unnecessary.
Member Since October 2022 - Comments: 200
9:41 PM, 25th September 2025, About 7 months ago
The RRB works on the assumption that tenants are universally good and proper citizens who need to be protected from unscrupulous landlords. It will be terrible for any would-be tenants that don’t fit the description. And not much better for all the others that are desperate for a place to call home.
First they complained about landlords being greedy and evil buying properties and renting them out. So supply was deliberately stymied and did not keep up with supply.
Then they complained when landlords sold up and people didn’t have anywhere to go and accused us of being greedy and evil for making people homeless. So they decided that tenants needed more rights and security of tenure.
Next they will be complaining that landlords are greedy and evil for being careful and only renting to the best tenants at the best rates they can get. You can just see it coming!
Member Since July 2023 - Comments: 24
11:06 PM, 25th September 2025, About 7 months ago
Good, hopefully the tenants won’t be able to rent anywhere again and let the useful idiots in charge try and put them up next door to the gimmes.
Member Since September 2025 - Comments: 2
5:48 AM, 26th September 2025, About 7 months ago
All we need for the renter’s bill to become fair is to create a registry for tenants. A tenant’s ID will give landlords access to their history as a tenant. A little like Experian or other credit rating banking services.
Member Since May 2015 - Comments: 2188 - Articles: 2
9:34 AM, 26th September 2025, About 7 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Annie Ivanova at 26/09/2025 – 05:48
What! Allow landlords to effectively assess potential tenants and eliminate bad prospects. Preposterous.
Member Since July 2023 - Comments: 179
12:17 PM, 26th September 2025, About 7 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Annie Ivanova at 05:48
Just musing.
I wonder if the newly announced ‘Brit Card’ may inadvertently facilitate such a move.
Ulimate in irony if it does.
Pure luck it was fully ready on the same day as Burnham wanted yo launch….