UPDATED: 31 March 2026
You will have no doubt read that the Renters’ Right Act became law on 27 October 2025 and that the first key implementation date is 1 May 2026. So, what do landlords need to do now to prepare for next May?
1. Update your tenancy agreements for new tenants
From 1 May 2026 all tenancies will be periodic assured tenancies. This means that you will not be able to fix the term of the tenancy and they will automatically roll over from month to month. It will be an offence to attempt to issue a fixed term tenancy. Indeed, doing so could attract a minimum fine of £4,000. All new tenancies will need to contain specified information, although the precise details are not yet known.
We expect the government to release a template tenancy agreement containing the additional information required. We continue to monitor the government releases and will provide a link to the updated model tenancy agreement once it is available. You will then be ready to issue to tenants whose tenancy commences after 1 May 2026.
2. Write to existing tenants with written tenancy agreements with an Information Sheet
Thankfully, if you have tenants that occupy under a written tenancy agreement that commences before 1 May 2026, it will not be necessary to provide your tenant with a new tenancy reflecting the changes in the Renters’ Rights Act. It will, however, be necessary for you to provide those tenants with an Information Sheet.
The Information Sheet is available as a PDF on the Government website.
You will need to send the Information Sheet to all existing tenants by 31 May 2026. Failure to do so could attract a minimum fine of £4,000.
We recommend that you keep a record of your tenants receiving the document should you need to rely upon it in the future. This could include sending the document via tracked post and keeping the proof of delivery or asking your tenant to sign to say they have received it. Make sure you keep a copy of the signed confirmation.
3. Write to existing tenants without a written tenancy agreement with terms of the tenancy
If you have tenants who currently occupy your property without a written tenancy agreement, or tenants where the terms of the tenancy agreement have been changed verbally without issuing a new written agreement, you will need to write to your tenant with a summary of the terms of the tenancy. This does not need to be a formal tenancy agreement. However, we would always recommend issuing a standard form tenancy agreement to reduce the risk of disagreement should you need to issue possession proceedings in future. It does, however, need to set out what the main terms of the agreement are. Failure to provide this information to your tenant could attract a minimum fine of £4,000.
As with the Information Sheet, we recommend that you keep a record of the terms of the agreement. As well as proof that you have sent them and your tenant has received them. Tracked post or a signed document will assist to avoid disputes in the future.
4. Familiarise yourself with the new rules
Whilst the biggest headline surrounding the Renters’ Rights Act relates to the abolition of evictions under section 21 Housing Act 1988, there are other key changes that will affect all new tenancies from 1 May 2026. Those changes include restrictions of when you can accept rent before a tenancy commences and how much you can accept; prohibition on refusing tenants on grounds of them having children or being in receipt of benefits (which may attract a fine of at least £6,000); and allowing your tenant to keep a pet.
There are also changes to the procedure for increasing rent once a tenancy commences. It will no longer be possible to verbally increase rent, and all rent increases must follow a specific procedure. You will not be permitted to increase rent more than once in a calendar year and you will only be permitted to charge the market rent for your property.
Councils will be granted additional powers to investigate alleged breaches of the Renters’ Rights Act. If you are found to be in breach, you may be ordered to repay rent to your tenant for up to 2 years from the date of the breach or you could receive a fine of up to £7,000 in the first instance.
There will also be new grounds for possession under Section 8, as well as longer notice periods.
The government has produced an overview of the changes that will affect you. A more detailed guide is also available. They have also published a summary of fines.
5. If in doubt, seek legal advice
We understand that the law can be confusing and difficult to interpret. Here at Levi, we have a dedicated team of professionals with experience in successfully evicting tenants under both section 8 and section 21 Housing Act 1988. We can review your position and assist you to ensure you are compliant with the requirements to successfully regain possession of your property. We can assist you to prepare and send notice to your tenant that you require possession of your property and to navigate the court system to ensure the safe return of your property.
Call us on 0800 988 7756 to speak to one of our team. Or fill in our contact form, and we will call you back.
