Renters Rights Act 2026.

Maybe all of this wasn't necessary...
Maybe there was a smarter way of working with the Private Rented Sector whilst servicing the Government's need to replace / offer an alternative to Social Housing... but this is what we've got.

Our philosophy on this is... "Don't worry too much". It's not as scary as the Press & Goverment have made it out to be.

"If you are good landlord who has a good property AND a good tenant who helps you maintain the property and pays their rent on time...
Guess what? Nothing much will change."

Firstly and Most Importantly.
All Landlords must familiarise themselves with the upcoming changes.

But first... The Government has released an Information Sheet that Landlords MUST provide to each of their Tenants by 31st May 2026 or you could risk being Fined upto £7000. Click Here to read more.

You can view and download a copy here of the actual Information Sheet here "Renters Right Act Information Sheet 2026".

1. A copy must be given to every tenant named on the tenancy agreement.
   
   
2. The Information Sheet is only valid when downloaded from the Gov.UK page (link above).
   
   
3. A Landlord must give the exact PDF found on the gov.uk website (link above).
   
   
4. A Landlord must provide this to their tenants by either:
   - printing a hard copy, which is posted or given to the tenants by hand
   - sending the PDF electronically as an attachment, for example, to an email or text message.

Note: A Landlord must not email or text a link to the PDF to the tenant, as this will not be valid.
The legislation does not require you to change or re-issue any existing written tenancy agreement.     

Key Changes Landlord & Tenants should know that are taking effect from 1st May 2026.

The abolishment of Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions.
Landlords will no longer be able to evict tenants without a specific, legally valid reason.

Below is a brief summary of some of the main reasons your landlord may legally seek to evict a tenant. You can find full details of these and other grounds on GOV.UK.

• If the tenant has not paid their rent on time
• If the tenant, others living with you, or visitors commit antisocial behaviour in or near the property
• If the tenant, or others living with you, do not care for the property properly
• If your tenancy was for certain purposes, for example it was connected to your employment, or was for temporary or supported accommodation.

Tenants cannot be required to leave under some grounds for the first 12 months of a tenancy.
These are:

• If the landlord intends to sell the property
• If the landlord or their family member wants to move into the property

The landlord will need to give a Section 8 notice seeking possession, using 1 or more of the grounds for possession above.

The banning of fixed term assured tenancies (old Assured Shorthold Tenancies).
From 1st May 2026, Tenancies will roll over until either party chooses to end it.

• Renters will be able to end a tenancy at any point by giving at least two months’ notice.
  • this must be done in writing, for example, by letter or email;
  • so the tenancy ends on a day when the rent is due or the day before
  • a tenant can agree a shorter notice period with the landlord in writing, as long as any other tenants named on the tenancy agreement also agree.
  
  
• Landlords will be able to end a tenancy by using a specific, legally defined reason, known as a ‘possession ground’(see above)

• Tenancies will no longer be known as Assured Shorthold Tenancies.
  From 1st May 2026 they will known as Assured Tenancies. 
  
  

• Tenants will benefit from a 12-month protected period at the beginning of a tenancy during which landlords will not be able to evict them

It will be illegal for landlords to discriminate against prospective renters who have children or receive benefits, helping to ensure everyone is treated fairly when looking for a place to live

End to rental bidding wars
Landlords will be prevented from asking for, encouraging, or accepting bids above the advertised rent price, which will put an end to rental bidding wars

No more upfront payments for rent.
Landlords will be able to request a maximum of one month’s rent upfront.

Rent increases will be legally limited to once per year using a Section13 notice and tenants will be able to challenge rent increases at a tribunal if they feel rent hikes are above market prices
Any rent increase must be no higher than the open market rent.

Right to request a Pet
Every tenant in a private rented property will have the right to request a pet, which the landlord cannot unreasonably refuse.