Landlord compliance after the Renters' Rights Act: your plain-English guide

Is it an Act yet? Yes

It's the Renters' Rights Act 2025 (2025 c. 26), so it's no longer a Bill. Phase 1 came into force on 1 May 2026. (GOV.UK: Renters' Rights Act, an overview for landlords; GOV.UK: Renters' Rights Act implementation roadmap)

What changed on 1 May 2026

• Rolling tenancies: all ASTs became assured periodic tenancies, with no end dates.
• Section 21 has gone: to get a property back you need a legal reason (a ground) and a section 8 notice. In many cases that's 4 months' notice.
• Selling or moving in: you can't use these grounds in the first 12 months of a tenancy.
• Rent: increases go through the section 13 process with Form 4A and at least 2 months' notice, at most once a year. Tenants can challenge an increase above market rent.
• Letting: no rent before the agreement is signed, no bidding wars (you can't accept offers above the advertised rent), and no blanket bans on tenants with children or on benefits.
• Pets: tenants can ask to keep one, and you can only refuse with a valid reason.
• Arrears ground: the mandatory threshold is 3 months' rent.
• Penalties: rent repayment orders now cover more offences and can be up to 2 years' rent.

Source: GOV.UK: Renters' Rights Act, an overview for landlords

Paperwork you needed to give

For a new tenancy: the written information before it starts. For an existing written tenancy: the Information Sheet 2026 by 31 May 2026. Missed it? Read GOV.UK: Written information you need to give your tenant and get advice. See our tenancy agreements guide.

What's still coming

• PRS Database: launches 15 December 2026 in the West Midlands, then other regions over 12 months. Everyone actively letting must be registered by 14 November 2027. There's an annual fee, and your gas, electrical and EPC details are expected to go on it. (GOV.UK news: PRS Database launch dates; GOV.UK: Renters' Rights Act implementation roadmap) Flag: the Regulations were still in draft when we checked
• Landlord Ombudsman: after the Database. Membership will be mandatory. Date not confirmed
• Decent Homes Standard and Awaab's Law for private renting: phase 3, with timing subject to consultation. Date not confirmed

Your safety certificates still matter (more than ever)

Nothing in the Act replaces the safety basics. Keep your gas safety record (yearly), EICR (at least every 5 years) and EPC up to date. The Database is expected to ask for them. (GOV.UK: Your landlord's safety responsibilities) The renewal tracker helps you keep on top of the dates.

Your to-do list

1. Check every tenancy has the right paperwork (written information or Information Sheet).
2. Remove fixed end dates and rent review clauses from your templates.
3. Diary your certificate expiry dates.
4. Get your property details ready for the PRS Database.
5. Review your ads: an asking rent, no bidding, no "No DSS".
6. Write down a fair process for pet requests.