The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 represents the biggest shake-up of residential tenancy law in a generation. While much of the attention has focused on urban private landlords, the changes are just as important for farmers and rural estates providing accommodation to employees.
For many farming businesses, cottages and farmhouses are not simply investments – they are assets tied to labour availability. The new legislation strengthens tenant security, but it also, where used correctly, introduces specific provisions aimed at protecting agricultural housing arrangements.
Michael Tatters, Head of Property Litigation at Thrings, takes a look at what is set to change for agricultural workers’ accommodation under the new legislation, how special protections are affected, and, crucially, how landlords can still recover possession where tenancies have been properly opted out.