The following will hopefully give Landlords some peace of mind about what the Renters Rights’ Bill proposals ‘actually’ mean in practice. The industry is becoming more and more regulated and further enhancing the value of using a quality Letting Agent
Following on from previous communications about this, we now have an implementation date for the Renters Rights Act 2025 – 1st May 2026.
All existing tenancies will just automatically become ‘periodic’ and be governed by the new rules from the 1st May 2026.
1. ABOLISHMENT OF SECTION 21
The Section 21 Notice will be replaced by an expanded Section 8 notice.
💡 Landlords will still be able to gain possession should you wish to sell or move back into the property – new Grounds added to Section 8 Notices to allow for this. Important to note that all tenants will have 12 months minimum right of tenure and the Landlord will need to serve 4 months notice. The tenant can serve 2 months notice to leave.
2. MOVING TO PERIODIC TENANCIES
On 1st May 2026 all tenancies in the UK will become Periodic Tenancies (no fixed term), this will also apply retrospectively to any pre agreed fixed terms.
💡 At MMP we maintain our properties to a very high standard and communicate well with Tenants, so they have no reason to leave early.
3. RENT INCREASES ONLY ONCE PER YEAR TO MARKET RENT. Landlords will only be permitted to increase the rent once per year, and by no more than ‘Market Rent’.
💡 Nothing really new here…in fact it will make an annual rent increase a more ‘accepted’ part of the tenancy process. And remember, there is significant ‘value’ in a Good Tenant, beyond an extra £50-100 per month rent increase. Any rent increases will be done by preparing a Section 13 Statutory Notice, instead of via a new tenancy agreement.
4. RIGHT TO REQUEST A PET
Landlords will not be able to unreasonably refuse, unless of course a Headlease prevents it.
💡 Ultimately, you are protected by the deposit and pet insurance will become commonplace.
5. NO DISCRIMINATION OF DSS OR CHILDREN
Unless you have been living in a bunker, discrimination of any kind is never tolerated by good Agents/Landlords, whether it is legislated or not.
💡 A fair playing field for everyone. But Landlords and Agents have the right to assess everyone’s financial suitability and ability to pay the rent, that will not change.
6. BAN ON BIDDING WARS
Landlords and Letting Agents will be legally required to publish an asking rent for their property’ and not accept above that price.
💡 Remember, the best Tenant is not always the one who offers the most money, in fact they rarely are.
7. RENT IN ADVANCE WILL BE PROHIBITED
Landlords/Agents will no longer be able to ask Tenants for advance rent payments – this is a knock on effect of resorting to periodic tenancies.
💡 This will have a detrimental effect on Foreign nationals moving to the country without credit history and also people who work in the Gig Economy. There are options available and will become more commonplace, via ‘Company Guarantors’, where tenants can pay a fee (equivalent to about 4-6 weeks of rent) to have a Guarantor.
8. DECENT HOMES STANDARDS AND AWABBS LAW
Providing safe and quality housing is the very least tenants expect and deserve.
💡 It will be more important than ever to use an experienced Letting Manager to advise and maintain your property to ensure full compliance.
9. PRIVATE RENTAL SECTOR DATABASE + Ombudsman
This will compile information about landlords and properties to ensure compliance and better industry standards. These will be rolled out across 2027/2028.
10. USE A GOOD LETTING AGENT AND YOU HAVE NOTHING TO FEAR ABOUT 1-9 ABOVE.
At Manage My Property we strive to give you the very best advice and professional levels of service. By keeping on top of the regulations you can be assured that your property is kept to a very good standard and meets all the necessary compliance.
