The Renters' Rights Bill is a proposed legislation change which will bring major updates to the private rental sector and require letting agents and landlords to adapt to stricter regulations.

The abolition means landlords won't be able to end tenancies without giving a specific reason. Agents will need to support landlords in using revised Section 8 processes, which outline specific legal grounds for possession, such as wanting to sell, move in, rent arrears or property damage.

If any of your landlord customers are worried about the abolition of Section 21, our Rent Guarantee product can help protect their income.

Yes, periodic tenancies are expected to become the default. This means tenants can leave with two months' notice, and landlords can only end tenancies using valid grounds under Section 8.

No, this is a recent proposed amendment which will not allow for more than one month's rent to be paid in advance. This makes intelligent referencing that looks at tenants' actual affordability even more important.

On commencement of the Act, fixed terms will be abolished, regardless of where they are in their fixed term. New rules on ending the tenancy will apply as from the end of the rental period which exists when the Act commences.

The new changes to possession grounds will mean a tenant will need to be in three months of arrears before a notice can be served on mandatory grounds. The notice will then give a further four weeks before possession applications can be made to the Court. Any awarded, but unpaid, Housing Allowance of Universal Credit payments can't be counted in the arrears.

If any of your landlord customers are worried about rent arrears and the cost of going to court, our Rent Guarantee product can help protect their income.

There are some transitional periods for instances in which notices under S8 or S21 have already been served or possession proceedings have already started, before commencement. Tenancies will remain assured shorthold tenancies for the purpose of concluding any proceedings already issued, and any notices which have been served shall remain valid until the expiry of their usual shelf life, or a maximum of three months from the date of commencement – whichever is sooner.

Not necessarily – a landlord will not be able to unreasonably say no to pets within specific timescales. If landlords do agree to pets, they will be able to require that tenants take out Pet Damage Insurance. Landlords will also be able to require reimbursement of the cost of insurance to protect against pet damage if they agree to allowing a pet in the property.

The Bill gives the power for it to be made a mandatory requirement of landlords to be a member of a recognised Landlord Redress Scheme.