A guide to the Renters Rights Act

The Renters Rights Act 2025 will come into effect in three phases:

• Phase One: 1 May 2026 – tenancy reforms are introduced
• Phase Two: from late 2026 – landlords must register their properties on a new private rented sector database. A private rented sector landlords Ombudsman Scheme will also be introduced, and all landlords must register with the scheme.
• Phase Three: date to be announced – the Decent Homes Standard will also be extended to the private rental sector, meaning homes must be safe, well maintained, free from serious hazards, and compliant with Awaab’s Law (which requires landlords to address damp and mould issues within set timescales).

The Renters’ Rights Act will mean tenants will face fewer barriers when looking for a property to rent, and more security and stability once you’re renting from a landlord or estate agent.

The changes only apply to tenants in the private rented sector (PRS). It does not apply if you:

• rent from a housing association or local council
• are renting in student halls (university owned or private)
• are a lodger

Detailed information on the changes can be found on GOV.UK. The changes for renters include:

• Abolition of ‘no fault’ evictions
• Fixed term tenancies will be replaced with assured period tenancies
• No more rental bidding
• Rent increases will be limited to once per year
• Paying large amounts of rent in advance will be banned
• Discriminating barriers to renting will be removed, including if you have children or receive benefits
• Pet requests: renters can seek permission from their landlord for a pet to reside at the property and a landlord cannot refuse without a fair reason.

For more information for renters, visit Private Tenants.

If you have concerns and would like to report a possible breach under the Renters’ Rights Act for the property you are renting or would like to rent, you can complete this form (add link).

Landlords play an important role in delivering these reforms and will need to understand what these changes mean for you and your business. To help you get prepared, the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government recommends the following guidance:

• Read up on the new rules and sign up to alerts from the Government: Familiarising yourself with the changes is the best place to start. See the government’s official guidance especially for landlords. You can sign up here to receive updates from the government. 
• Prepare necessary paperwork in advance: Landlords need to share some important paperwork with tenants by certain dates.  

For your existing tenants, whose tenancies are in writing, you must give them:  

The government’s information sheet by 31 May:  The Information Sheet is a document produced by the government for tenants. It explains how their tenancy may be affected by the changes introduced by the Renters’ Rights Act 2025. 

A landlord or a letting agent who manages the property, must provide the Information Sheet to the tenant if the tenancy is:

• an assured or assured shorthold tenancy
• was created before 1 May 2026
• has a wholly or partly written record of terms (including a written tenancy agreement)

A copy must be given to every tenant named on the tenancy agreement by:

• hand delivering or posting a hard copy
• Emailing or texting a PDF attachment

Your existing tenancy agreement does not need to be changed.

You must provide this information sheet by 31 May 2026.

For all new tenancies starting on or after 1 May, you must :  

Provide written Statement of Terms for your tenant: From 1 May 2026, you will need to give new tenants certain written information about the key terms of the tenancy including your name and address, rent amount/due date, deposit amount, repair responsibilities and what bills your tenant must pay.  

This will ensure that tenants and landlords have a clear, written record of the key terms of the tenancy, helping them to understand their rights and responsibilities and assist in avoiding or resolving disputes.  

You will need to give this information when you create a new tenancy on or after 1 May 2026 and before you agree the tenancy. You may include this information in a written tenancy or you can give it separately.  See more guidance here on how to write this.  

Work out your rent increase routine: The Renters’ Rights means that from 1 May any rises you’re planning to make must happen once every 12 months (maximum) with at least two months’ and providing a Section 13 notice (a formal document) to inform tenants.

Check your ads are compatible with the Act: Now is a good time to ensure any new adverts for properties you’re planning to rent out are compatible with the Renters’ Rights Act.

Keep proper trail of your due diligence: This is a timely reminder to keep a clear record of your due diligence as a landlord. Consider keeping a digital record for every property, including safety certificates, EPC, deposit docs, licences, right to rent checks and logs of repairs. 

For more information for landlords, visit Private landlords