Private Rented Sector Landlord Ombudsman
A new ombudsman every private landlord in England will have to join, so tenants can have complaints settled for free. Membership is expected to become compulsory in 2028.
In short: The Renters' Rights Act 2025 creates a single ombudsman for private landlords in England. Tenants will be able to complain about their landlord free of charge, and its decisions will bind the landlord. The Government expects membership to be compulsory from 2028.
The Renters’ Rights ActFor tenants
England. Checked against the law on 5 October 2026. Information, not legal advice.
How it is expected to work:
- Every private landlord must join, however many homes they let, and pay a fee.
- A tenant complains to the landlord first; if it is not put right, they can go to the ombudsman.
- The ombudsman can require an apology, action or compensation.
- It will deal with how the landlord handled things, not with possession cases, which stay with the courts.
Who will run it and the exact start date have not been announced. It follows the PRS Database.
It is different from the redress schemes that letting agents already belong to.
Read more: The landlord database and ombudsman: when you must register
Related: PRS Database, Property redress scheme
Where this comes from
Guides on this
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Related terms
Glossary
Assured periodic tenancy
The standard private tenancy in England since 1 May 2026: it rolls on month to month (or shorter) with no end date until the tenant or landlord ends it properly.
Glossary
Assured shorthold tenancy (AST)
The usual private tenancy in England from 1997 until 30 April 2026. On 1 May 2026 existing ASTs became assured periodic tenancies and no new private ones can be made.
Glossary
Awaab's Law
Rules setting fixed times for landlords to investigate and fix damp, mould and other serious hazards. In force for social housing; due to be extended to private lets.
Glossary
Civil penalty
A fine a council can impose on a landlord or agent instead of prosecuting, for breaches of housing law such as letting an unlicensed HMO or ignoring an improvement notice.
Glossary
Decent Homes Standard
A standard a home must meet: free of serious hazards, in reasonable repair, with reasonably modern facilities and warm. Applies to social housing; planned for private lets.
Glossary
Grounds for possession (ground 1, 1A and 8)
The reasons in Schedule 2 of the Housing Act 1988 on which a landlord can seek possession. Some are mandatory, some discretionary; the main ones are moving in, selling and arrears.