The Key Points to The Renters Rights Act

By Clarkes

Overview:

The Renters Rights Act has overhauled landlord and tenant law, with many new regulations for a landlord to comply with and harsher penalties in the event of non-compliance!

The Section 21 possession route, more commonly known as ‘no fault eviction’ has officially been abolished as of 1 May 2026, with landlords having until the 31 July 2026 to issue proceedings on the back of a Notice.

In addition, the Section 8 possession route, with a two week notice period has increased to three months.

All other grounds also have significantly longer notice periods.

In addition, as of 1 May 2026, all assured shorthold tenancies automatically became assured periodic tenancies, which are rolling, month-to-month tenancies with no set end date.

Landlords have increased duties surrounding private renting, including a new requirement to provide the tenant with an information sheet, which contains all the key details of the tenancy.  This is in addition to any written tenancy agreement.

Rent increases are now limited to once a year and capped at market rate.  In addition, landlords can only request up to one month’s rent in advance.

It is also now against the law for landlords to refuse tenants on the basis they receive benefits or have children.

Things to watch out for:

In addition, the following changes will be implemented later this year:

  • A private rental sector database.  This is one reform you may have seen being discussed, as it will be a register of all landlords and rental properties in England.  Tenants will be able to see if their landlord/prospective landlord is correctly registered.  There may be fines for landlords who fail to register, but this is still in discussion.
  • A private rental sector database.  This is one reform you may have seen being discussed, as it will be a register of all landlords and rental properties in England.  Tenants will be able to see if their landlord/prospective landlord is correctly registered.  There may be fines for landlords who fail to register, but this is still in discussion.
  • A free complaints service, by way of Private Landlord Ombudsman.  Designed to help tenants resolve complaints against their landlord without needing to go to Court.

It is hoped this new law will grant tenants greater protections and powers and make the overall rental system more stable and safer.