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Everything landlords need to know about the Renters' Rights Act
The Renters’ Rights Act is a legislative reform which has recently been given Royal Assent. It is aimed at significantly updating the private rental sector and will require landlords and letting agents to comply with more stringent regulations. The first phase of rules will take effect from the 1st May, 2026.
The Act introduces major reforms including the end of Section 21 evictions, the implementation of stricter property standards, and the phasing out of fixed-term leases.
The Act was given Royal Assent to become law in October 2025. The rules will become law in three phases, with the first on 1st May, 2026.
The Information Sheet is a document produced by the Government for tenants. It explains how their tenancy may be affected by the changes introduced by the Renters’ Rights Act. You must ensure any current tenants under an AST which was created before 1st May 2026 are provided with the Information Sheet no later than 31st May 2026. You should do this by either printing a hard copy which is posted or provided by hand, or sending the PDF electronically as an attachment to an email or text message.
From 1st May 2026, landlords and letting agents must provide tenants with certain written information about key terms of a tenancy. This means that all tenancies must be in writing and include things such as landlords’ names, tenants’ names, rental property address, tenancy start date, rent amount and due dates, how a rent increase might be proposed, whether the rent includes bills and how they are handled, the deposit amount, how a tenant may end the tenancy, how a landlord may end the tenancy, plus much more. All of these details can form part of your overall Tenancy Agreement but if they don’t then this should be provided separately.
You can see more about this, as well as a copy of the requirements, on the Government website.
The government have issued new Assured tenancy forms for privately rented properties to use from 1st May 2026 so you can see the type of information that will be required if you need to issue them after the implementation date. You can find these on the Government’s website. These will not be in use until 1st May, 2026.
If you’re worried about the abolition of Section 21, our Rent Guarantee product can help protect your income.
Not freely. Rent adjustments must comply with the tenancy agreement terms, provide proper notice, and be reasonable under current laws.
Begin with a written notice and attempt resolution. If necessary, legal proceedings may follow. Rent Guarantee insurance can help cover potential losses and legal costs.
Yes, a tenant must now be three months behind on rent before a mandatory notice can be served. Following this, an additional four-week notice period is required before making a court application for possession.
Periodic tenancies will become the norm, with fixed-term tenancies phased out. Tenants will gain the ability to leave with two months’ notice, while landlords must rely on Section 8 for valid termination grounds.
While not mandatory, Rent Guarantee Insurance offers a safety net against the financial risks landlords face, especially with the strengthened tenant protections under the Renters’ Rights Act.
Proactive measures are essential for landlords to adapt to the forthcoming changes:
By taking these steps, landlords can better navigate the evolving landscape of rental regulations.