The rental landscape is undergoing one of the biggest shifts in a generation. The new Renters’ Rights Act is designed to strengthen tenant protections - but for landlords looking to sell, it brings new complexities, longer timeframes, and much higher risks.

At Flyp, our mission is to help owners who want to sell, capture full value for their homes, without sacrificing income. Our Rent Whilst Selling model has helped owners avoid the traps of traditional renting for years - but with the new rules coming in, the difference between a licence and a tenancy has become even more critical.

This guide explains:

• The key changes introduced by the Renters’ Rights Act

• How these changes affect your ability to sell a property

• Why choosing a standard tenancy now may lock you in for at least 2–3 years

• How Flyp’s Rent Whilst Selling option uniquely preserves flexibility, access, and value - even if it means a little inconsistency, and sometimes a little less income than a long let

The Renters’ Rights Act: What’s Changing?

Here are the major updates that matter to anyone considering renting a home they ultimately want to sell:

- No-fault evictions are gone

Section 21 has been abolished. You can no longer end a tenancy simply because you want to sell.

- Tenants can leave any time with 2 months’ notice

Your rental income is no longer predictable. Even if you set up a long-term tenancy, your tenant can walk away at any point with 2 months' notice.

- Landlords must give 4 months’ notice to regain possession for a sale

If you want to sell with vacant possession, you must issue a 4-month notice period. But that’s not the biggest problem…

- You can’t re-rent for 12 months after regaining possession for a sale

This is the game-changer. If you end a tenancy because you want to sell, the new rules prevent you from renting the property again for at least 12 months.

- Evictions take longer and cost more

Courts are already overloaded. Evictions commonly take:

• 12–18 months

• Significant legal costs

• Zero rental income during the process

Put simply: a traditional tenancy now carries more risk, more cost, and less flexibility than ever before.

Even before these changes, almost 25,000 private tenancies a year - almost 3%, were subject to a legal possession claim ending up in full bailiff repossession – with many more drifting into arrears and further delays to possession. 

The Real Impact on Landlords Who Still Want to Sell

Before these changes, landlords had two imperfect options:

Option 1: Rent with a standard tenancy

• Predictable income (in theory)

• But selling with a tenant drastically reduces access, presentation, buyer confidence, and ultimately property value

• High legal risk if you need possession

Option 2: Leave the property empty

• Maximum control

• But you lose all income during the sale period

• And sales often take months longer than expected

Now, after the Renters’ Rights Act, the equation has changed entirely:

If you take on a long-term tenant today, you are essentially committing NOT to sell for 2–3 years.

Why?

• You can’t remove the tenant quickly

• If you do regain possession for a sale, you must leave it empty for 12 months

• Tenant can leave at any time, destroying the “safety” of rental income

• Evictions are longer, costlier, and more uncertain

This new reality is pushing many landlords into extremely restrictive positions—often without realising it.

This Is Why Flyp’s Rent Whilst Selling Is More Valuable Than Ever

Our model was built for flexibility and control, using a licence agreement, not a tenancy.

Key benefits that matter even more under the new rules:

You keep full access to the property

Viewings anytime, dressing and cleaning to ensure flawless viewings - no gatekeeping by tenants.

You can sell at any point with just 4 weeks’ notice

Not 4 months. Not a court process. Just 4 weeks.

No eviction risk

A licence is not protected by tenancy law. Possession is straightforward and predictable.

Income while you sell

No long periods of vacancy. No uncertainty around tenants leaving suddenly. Just steady revenue until the day you secure your buyer.

No obligation to leave the property empty for 12 months

Because you are not ending a tenancy, you avoid the entire 12-month restriction.

So What Should You Do?

Here’s the simple decision framework:

If you want to sell within the next 2–3 years:

Avoid a traditional tenancy at all costs. It reduces value, increases legal exposure, and traps you in the property.

If you want income and the option to sell:

Stay with Flyp’s Rent Whilst Selling model. It is now the only practical way to keep flexibility while generating revenue.

If you have fully abandoned the idea of selling for several years:

A long-term tenancy may be suitable—but go in with clear expectations about:

• eviction timelines

• restricted access

• 12-month no-rent rule after ending tenancies

• potential legal costs

Our Commitment to You

We built Flyp to help homeowners unlock value.

The Renters’ Rights Act has changed the landscape dramatically, but it has also made our flexible model even more essential for owners who want to protect their options, income, and exit strategy.

If you're unsure what the new rules mean for your property or want advice on the best route forward, our team is here to help.