Two laws on rented housing concern different but connected problems. They are the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 (RRA) and the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act 2023 (SH(RO)A).
The RRA, which came into force in May this year, was developed to give tenants in England more security and to change how landlords can repossess homes.
Changes to the private rented sector started in May and those to most social housing tenancies will come in next year.
The best known change is the abolition of the section 21 no-fault evictions, so private landlords must now have a valid reason to evict someone.
Supported accommodation
The main impact on supported housing is that it will be better regulated with a stronger legal position in terms of how landlords, both private and social, will manage tenancies.
Providers may need revised agreements, clearer possession processes and stronger records and provide staff training, especially where support needs, funding changes or “non engagement” might affect continued occupation.
Exempt supported housing
The Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act 2023 (SH(RO)A) is designed to improve standards and oversight in exempt supported accommodation.
Tenants pay for this accommodation through housing benefit but the rules that cap how much rent this covers do not apply.
The (SH(RO)A) allows the government to introduce regulatory frameworks such as the national supported housing standards. It also requires local housing authorities to publish supported housing strategies so everyone understands local supply and future need.
The act also aims to address concerns about poor-quality accommodation and inconsistent or poor support.
How the laws are linked
The two laws are worth considering together.
The RRA focuses mainly on tenancy security, eviction routes, rent practices and landlord duties. The SH(RO)A focuses on quality, licensing, strategic planning and oversight of supported exempt accommodation.
Together, they require supported housing providers to consider both tenancy law and service quality. A home may need tenancy arrangements that comply with the RRA while also meeting supported housing standards, licensing expectations and local authority scrutiny under the SH(RO)A.
Impact on tenants
The changes could improve housing security, transparency and protection from poor practice. Ending the option of no-fault eviction may reduce anxiety about losing a home for no clear reason.
Stronger supported housing regulation should also help ensure accommodation and support are safe, suitable and person centred.
However, people will still need accessible information, advocacy and reasonable adjustments to understand tenancy rights, challenge poor standards, engage with support and avoid inappropriate moves or homelessness.
Housing and support providers
The whole sector now has greater compliance, planning and evidencing duties.
Local authorities will need supported housing strategies, licensing systems, enforcement capacity and better data on supply, quality and demand.
Landlords and providers must review tenancy or licence arrangements, possession policies, support records, property standards and, if tenants have exempt supported status, they must have evidence supporting this, such as levels of care and support received. They will also need to show that support is genuine, appropriate and linked to residents’ needs.
Good providers will benefit from clearer standards while those that perform poorly will face stronger scrutiny and challenge.
Next steps
Housing providers will need to audit existing accommodation, lease agreements and support models to identify compliance gaps. They should establish whether schemes operate under tenancies or licences, and ensure this remains appropriate and in line with legislative and licensing changes.
Authorities should develop data-led supported housing strategies and set out proportionate licensing and enforcement approaches.
Landlords and support providers should update policies, train staff, improve information for residents, strengthen safeguarding and complaints processes and prepare for closer scrutiny of compliance.
Suzanne Gale is a public sector consultant
