Key Changes for Social Housing – October 2027

Important changes are coming to social housing in England from October 2027. The introduction of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 to social housing assured tenancies will bring significant changes to tenancy security, eviction rules, rent increases and the information landlords must provide to tenants. Whether you are a social housing tenant, housing association, landlord or property professional, understanding these reforms now can help you prepare with confidence.

More Secure, Rolling Tenancies

From October 2027, assured shorthold tenancies (ASTs) provided by Private Registered Providers will be replaced by assured periodic tenancies. Existing affected social housing assured tenancies will also move to a rolling tenancy arrangement. This means tenants will no longer have a fixed end date attached to their assured tenancy under the new framework.

Section 21 Evictions to Be Abolished

One of the most significant changes is the abolition of Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions for affected social housing assured tenancies. Landlords will instead need to rely on the updated grounds for possession where they need to recover a property. This aims to create a clearer tenancy framework while retaining circumstances in which landlords can lawfully regain possession.

New Rules for Rent Increases

The reforms will also introduce a new process for rent increases. For affected PRP social housing assured tenancies, landlords will generally be able to use the Section 13A process to increase rent during the first 52 weeks of a tenancy and then no more than once every 52 weeks, subject to the required notice. Existing Social Housing Rent Standard rules will continue to govern annual rent limits.

Greater Transparency for Tenants

Housing providers will need to give tenants important tenancy information in writing. For existing tenants with written tenancy terms, the government plans to provide an Information Sheet explaining the changes before the October 2027 implementation date.

What Does This Mean for Social Housing?

The reforms are designed to create a simpler and more secure social housing tenancy system, giving tenants greater clarity about their rights and responsibilities. They will affect various forms of social housing provided under the relevant assured tenancy framework, including social rent, affordable rent, intermediate rent, specialised supported housing and temporary accommodation. Shared ownership is generally outside these tenancy reforms.

Prepare for October 2027 today. Understanding the upcoming social housing reforms, Renters’ Rights Act, tenancy changes, Section 21 abolition and rent rules can help tenants and housing providers navigate the transition smoothly.