Renters' Rights Act FAQs for Landlords

The main tenancy reforms under the Renters' Rights Act came into force on 1 May 2026 across England.

Both. Existing tenancies converted to the new periodic tenancy regime on 1 May 2026. Landlords must also provide a government information sheet to existing tenants.

If you already rent out a property and the tenancy agreement was signed before 1 May 2026 and you have a written record of the agreement, you must give tenants the government-produced information sheet.

Landlords should serve the information sheet on all tenants named on the tenancy agreement as soon as possible. Failure to comply can result in fines up to £7,000.

Yes. The information sheet can be provided electronically or in hard copy.

If the tenancy is based entirely on a verbal agreement made before 1 May 2026, you must provide the required written information about key terms. We can advise on the correct approach.

If landlords do not provide the required written information, the tenant could complain to the local council and the landlord could receive a fine up to £7,000.

No. Fixed contracts ended on 1 May 2026 and all tenancies now roll on as periodic tenancies.

Tenants can end their tenancy with two months' notice.

Landlords must give tenants certain written information about key terms of the tenancy, and this must be provided before signing or otherwise agreeing the tenancy.

Rent can only be raised once a year, and tenants can challenge unfair hikes.

Yes. Bidding wars are banned and landlords must stick to no more than the advertised rent price.

Yes. One month's rent upfront is the maximum.

No. It will be illegal to refuse tenants just because they receive benefits or have children. Applications must be assessed individually.

Tenants can request permission to keep a pet and landlords must consider it fairly. Refusals must be based on valid reasons.

A Private Rented Sector Database and a free complaints service (Landlord Ombudsman) are planned for later phases from late 2025.

1. Serve the government information sheet on existing tenants. 2. Update new-tenancy onboarding so the required written information is given before signing. 3. Review rent increase processes — informal increases no longer work.

For many landlords, a fully managed, compliance-led letting service is the simplest way to manage risk under the new regime. A good agent will handle documentation, compliance monitoring and early intervention if problems arise.

Not necessarily for day-to-day compliance, but legal advice is strongly recommended for possession proceedings, tenancy disputes and any situation where you need to rely on Section 8 grounds. Getting it wrong can be costly.