# Property compliance changes in 2025: what’s new, what’s coming, and what to do now > Source: https://kaptursoftware.co.uk/property-compliance-changes-in-2025-whats-new-whats-coming-and-what-to-do-now/ > Author: martina > Published: 2025-12-18T11:40:50+00:00 > Modified: 2026-01-13T15:50:52+00:00 Property compliance changes in 2025 a compliance roundup for England: what’s live under the Renters’ Rights Act and Awaab’s Law. As we head into the final weeks of **2025**, it’s easy to mix up what’s actually **in force** with what’s been **announced**. This article is a practical roundup of **what changed in 2025 and what the current compliance expectations are right now**—so you can stay audit-ready and avoid last-minute scrambles. In the second half, we’ll look ahead to **what’s due to arrive in 2026**, including the big tenancy reforms and the operational changes you’ll want in place before they land. Want the full checklist for the 2026 regime? [Download our free Letting Agent Compliance Guide 2026.](https://kaptursoftware.co.uk/letting-agent-compliance-guide-2026-free-whitepaper-download/) ## 2025 summary: what came into force (and what’s current right now) ### Key takeaways (as of December 2025) - The **Renters’ Rights Act 2025 is now law** (Royal Assent **27 Oct 2025**), but most “headline” tenancy changes haven’t started yet. - **Awaab’s Law Phase 1 is live (social rented sector)** from **27 Oct 2025** (with set response timeframes for emergency hazards and significant damp & mould hazards). - The **big operational change for the PRS this month** is enforcement: **new council investigatory powers start 27 Dec 2025**. ### What’s “current compliance” in the PRS today  Even without brand-new rules switching on this month (December 2025), councils and tenants will expect you to demonstrate the basics cleanly and quickly: - **Gas safety:** annual gas safety checks remain a legal duty (with some scheduling flexibility). - **Electrical safety (England):** inspections at least **every 5 years** by a qualified person (EICR requirements sit behind this). - **Smoke & carbon monoxide alarms (England):** at least **one smoke alarm per storey** and **CO alarms in relevant rooms**, plus repair/replace when reported faulty. - **Energy efficiency (MEES):** domestic PRS generally needs **EPC E or above** (unless a valid exemption applies). ### What changes before the year ends  **27 December 2025 (England): new investigatory powers for councils** Local authorities get new powers to investigate suspected breaches involving private landlords and letting agents—think: **demanding documents**, **inspecting**, and **accessing relevant data**.[ ](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/investigatory-powers-guidance-for-renters-rights-act-2025/investigatory-powers-guidance-for-renters-rights-act-2025?utm_source=chatgpt.com) **What this means in practice:** your risk isn’t “we don’t comply” as much as “we complied, but can’t prove it fast.” **Do one thing this week:** run a **10-property compliance retrieval drill**. If you can’t pull a complete compliance pack quickly (certs + inspection evidence + repair history), fix that *before* 27 December.   ## What’s coming in 2026 Prefer a downloadable, step-by-step version? [Get the 2026 Lettings Compliance Guide (free PDF)](https://kaptursoftware.co.uk/letting-agent-compliance-guide-2026-free-whitepaper-download/). ### 1 May 2026: the new tenancy regime goes live (England) Government’s roadmap confirms the **new tenancy regime starts 1 May 2026** and applies to **new and existing tenancies**.[ ](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/renters-rights-act-2025-implementation-roadmap/implementing-the-renters-rights-act-2025-our-roadmap-for-reforming-the-private-rented-sector) What to expect from that date (high level): - **Section 21 ends** (no new “no-fault” notices). - The system moves to **periodic tenancies** as the default (open-ended), with landlords relying on **valid Section 8 grounds** where they need possession. - **Rent increases standardise**: once per year via a Section 13 route, with strengthened ability to challenge unreasonable increases (and reforms to reduce tenant risk in tribunal). - New rules on **pets**: landlords can’t unreasonably refuse consent (with guidance to follow). **Important operational detail:** the government roadmap also flags landlord/agent comms and templates you’ll need—e.g., a published “information sheet” for existing tenants (planned for March 2026, to be given by end of May 2026).[ ](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/renters-rights-act-2025-implementation-roadmap/implementing-the-renters-rights-act-2025-our-roadmap-for-reforming-the-private-rented-sector) ### Late 2026: PRS Database + Landlord Ombudsman start rolling out From **late 2026**, the roadmap sets out a second phase introducing: - A **Private Rented Sector Database** (rolled out by area) - A **PRS Landlord Ombudsman** to resolve complaints without going straight to court This is where “single source of truth” record-keeping stops being nice-to-have and becomes a day-to-day requirement. ### Beyond 2026 (but you should prepare now) The government is clear that later phases will focus on **raising standards**, including extending **Awaab’s Law** and a modernised **Decent Homes Standard** into the PRS—timings to be set via consultation.  If your compliance evidence is still scattered across emails and folders, now’s a good time to get it organised before the 2026 changes land. **Book a **[quick demo](https://kaptursoftware.co.uk/book-a-demo-form/)** to see how Kaptur keeps inspections, photos, signatures and compliance orders in one place.**