Renters’ Rights Act 2025: Essential Information About The Changes To The Private Rented Sector On 1 May 2026 (Videos)

5 Top most important things landlords need to know about how the new tenancy rules work:

1. Abolition of assured shorthold tenancies

Instead, private sector tenancies will be ‘periodic assured tenancies’. Existing assured shorthold agreements have (mostly) already converted to assured periodic tenancies

2. Tenancies are becoming periodic

This means that tenancies will not have fixed terms. Tenants will be able to give ‘notice to quit’ to end their tenancies when they choose. A tenant’s notice to quit will need to give a minimum of two months’ notice.

3. Evictions are becoming more complex

Landlords can no longer serve section 21 notices but instead must serve a section 8 notice relying on a ground for possession if they wish a tenant to leave.

4. Pets

Tenants now have the right to request a pet, and the landlord must respond and can only refuse the request with a good reason.

5. Changes to Rent

Rent increase clauses in tenancy agreements are no longer valid, and landlord must use the ‘section 13 notice’ procedure if they wish to increase the rent. New rules also prohibit landlords from demanding substantial rent in advance.

You can find more detailed guidance on our website and on the Government’s Housing Hub. In this guide we have included a list of the five most important things for landlords to comply with the changes to the law, and a table setting out more details about important changes and when they take effect.

What private landlords need to be doing now to comply with the new rules:

1. Landlords must give all existing private sector assured or assured shorthold tenants a copy of the Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet by 31 May 2026.
2. Landlords should use a new tenancy agreement template for any new tenancies. This will be the easiest way to comply with the new requirement for a ‘Written Statement’, which must be given to assured periodic tenants before the tenancy is entered into. 
3. If any existing tenants do not have a written tenancy agreement, the landlord must provide them with a Written Statement by 31 May 2026.
4. Landlords need to familiarise themselves with the new rules about rent:
   • Rental bidding ban – properties must be advertised with a price, and landlords and agents cannot invite or accept a higher rent.
   • Rent in advance – new tenancies cannot require tenants to pay large amounts of rent upfront.
   • Rent increases – landlords must use a section 13 notice if they wish to increase the rent.

5. Landlords with tenants who are students will need to consider whether they should inform their tenants by 31 May 2026 that they may rely on the new ground for possession, “Ground 4A”. In the video below, Housing and Property Disputes Partners Robin Stewart and Sarah Cummins discuss Ground 4A and the transitional rules under the Renters’ Rights Act.

If you are looking for legal advice or assistance in connection with the Renters’ Rights Act, our specialist housing and property disputes team can assist. In particular we can provide the following services to landlords:

1. Advice on evictions
2. Appeals relating to possession claims
3. Representation in regulatory investigations
4. Assistance in rent repayment order cases
5. Tenancy agreements and advice for institutional landlords and agents
6. Training for letting agents and larger landlords.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.