What the 2025 Tenancy Law Changes Mean

From the archive. Originally published 29 January 2025; wording and factual corrections reviewed 5 November 2026. Check current Tenancy Services guidance before acting on a specific property or tenancy.

The 2025 tenancy changes covered several different subjects and took effect on different dates. For owners, the practical point is to check which rule applies to the tenancy before giving notice or making a decision.

The rules relevant to these decisions

1. Rent increases: check the timing and notice

• Rent generally cannot increase within 12 months of the tenancy starting or the last increase. A fixed-term agreement must allow an increase, and landlords must give at least 60 days’ written notice for an ordinary residential tenancy.
• Check the agreement, dates and Tenancy Services’ rent guidance. The earlier article’s claim that increases must follow a new national rental index was incorrect.

2. Ending a tenancy: changes from 30 January 2025

• From 30 January 2025, landlords could end a periodic tenancy with 90 days’ notice without stating a reason. Different notice provisions apply in specified circumstances and to fixed-term tenancies.
• Retaliatory notices remain unlawful. Check the applicable rules and notice requirements before serving notice.

3. Healthy Homes: the compliance deadline has passed

• All private rentals had to meet the Healthy Homes standards by 1 July 2025, unless an exemption applies. Compliance is an ongoing responsibility.
• Check the property’s assessment, any applicable exemption and supporting records. Arrange outstanding work rather than treating the old deadline as a future target.

Healthy Homes compliance guidance from Tenancy Services

Keep the property and tenancy records current

Before acting, confirm the facts, check the relevant requirement and record the decision. TLC can help owners assess the position and organise the next step.