Landlord Responsibilities: What’s Changed for 2025?

If you own a property and rent it out to people, you are a landlord. Being a landlord means you have certain responsibilities to your tenants, the people who rent your property. These responsibilities help keep the property safe and comfortable, and make sure everyone is treated fairly.

In 2025, some of these rules and responsibilities have changed. It’s important to know what these changes are so that you can be a good landlord and keep your tenants happy. In this blog, we’ll explain what these changes are and what landlords need to do this year.

What Does a Landlord Do?

A landlord is someone who owns a property and lets other people live there in exchange for rent. The landlord is responsible for things like:

• Making sure the property is safe and in good condition.
• Taking care of repairs.
• Making sure the property is clean and liveable.

As a landlord, it’s your job to look after the property and make sure everything is working well for your tenants. But, the laws and rules for landlords change over time. In 2025, there are some important updates to know about.

1. New Rules for Rent Increases

In 2025, there are new rules about how much and how often a landlord can increase rent. Rent increases must be fair and reasonable, and landlords need to give their tenants plenty of notice before increasing the rent. This is to make sure tenants don’t get surprised by a sudden, big increase.

The government has also put rules in place to make sure that rent increases are in line with inflation (how much prices go up over time). This helps keep rent prices from rising too quickly. Find out more about letting your property at Oakmans Property Services.

2. Improved Energy Efficiency Rules

Energy efficiency means how well a home uses energy like electricity and heating. In 2025, landlords must make sure their properties are more energy-efficient. This includes having things like:

• Better insulation (which keeps the house warm in winter and cool in summer).
• Energy-efficient heating systems and light bulbs.
• Double-glazed windows that help keep heat inside the house.

These changes are part of an effort to help protect the environment by using less energy. It also means tenants can save money on their energy bills, which makes their home more affordable.

3. Stronger Tenant Protection

Tenants now have stronger protection under the law. This means landlords must make sure their tenants have the right to live in a safe, comfortable home. Tenants also now have better rights when it comes to:

• Ending a tenancy: Landlords must follow the correct legal process if they want to end a tenancy. This includes giving proper notice and having a good reason for asking a tenant to leave.
• Repairs and maintenance: If something goes wrong in the property, like a broken heater or a leaking roof, the landlord must fix it quickly. Tenants now have a bit more time to ask for repairs before they can take action.

These changes help make sure that tenants feel more secure and respected in their homes.

4. Landlords Must Keep Better Records

To help avoid problems with taxes or disagreements, landlords now need to keep better records of the money they earn and spend. This means:

• Keeping track of rent payments.
• Keeping receipts for any repairs or maintenance work done on the property.
• Keeping records of any agreements made with tenants.

This helps make sure everything is done fairly and legally. It’s important for landlords to stay organised and make sure they are following all the rules.

5. Tenant’s Right to Request Home Improvements

In 2025, tenants have the right to ask their landlord to make certain improvements to the property. For example, tenants might ask for new windows, better heating, or a fresh coat of paint. If a tenant asks for these improvements, the landlord must consider their request seriously. If the landlord refuses, they must give a good reason why.

Final Thoughts

Being a landlord is a big responsibility, and it’s important to keep up with any changes in the law. In 2025, there are new rules to make sure tenants are treated fairly, and that properties are safer and more energy-efficient. By following these new rules, you can be a great landlord and keep your tenants happy.

For more detailed guidance, check out our other blogs dedicated for landlords and keep up to date with the latest landlord responsibilities.

Key Takeaways:

• Rent increases must be fair and reasonable, with plenty of notice given to tenants.
• Landlords need to make properties more energy-efficient to help the environment and save tenants money.
• Tenants have stronger protections and rights when it comes to repairs, safety, and ending tenancies.