Renters' rights - landlords

The Renters' Rights Act was passed by Parliament in October 2025. It brings significant changes to the private rented sector.

The government have announced that the first phase (part 1 of the Act) relating to tenancy reform will come into force on 1 May 2026. The rest of the Act will follow in 2 further stages. 

A full guide to the Act can be found on GOV.UK.

As a landlord, understanding these changes now will help you:

• prepare for a smooth transition

• avoid penalties

• maintain strong tenant relationships

A landlord checklist to help prepare for the changes is available
  

Download the checklist

What these changes mean for you

Councils will have greater powers to investigate landlords and enforce compliance, the legislation places a duty on local authorities to enforce against any non-compliance.

Higher fines and penalties will be introduced for breaches of rental laws.

You can see our current housing enforcement policy and civil financial penalty policy relating to the approach to enforcement and the financial penalties for non-compliance.

What should you do prior to 1 May 2026?

Keep up to date

Stay up to date with changes on GOV.UK

Provide information

Provide information to your tenants if tenancy was created before 1 May 2026:

• give a copy, digitally or on paper, on or before 31 May 2026, of the government-produced information sheet to your tenants

• if your current tenancy is based entirely on a verbal agreement, you’ll need to give your tenant a written record of specific terms of the agreement. You’ll have to do this instead of providing the information sheet

• the government has published guidance on the information you'll need to provide. You'll have to give this information to your tenants in writing on or before 31 May 2026
   

You will also need to:

• review your property portfolio and identify areas needing upgrades or compliance adjustments

• be ready to update your tenancy agreements in line with the new requirements

• carry out regular property inspections to ensure ongoing compliance

• develop a clear record-keeping system to track compliance and avoid penalties

• engage with professional landlord associations to stay informed and receive guidance