Are you ready for the Renters’ Rights Act?

The first implementation phase of the Renters’ Rights Act will be delivered on May 1st, 2026, making sweeping changes to the rental sector.

If you are a landlord, here’s what you need to do to prepare:

1. Issue the correct paperwork to tenants

You must serve all tenants with the Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet by May 31st. You can issue it either digitally or physically – just make sure you have evidence that the document was served.

For tenancies beginning on or after May 1st, you must give new tenants written information about the key terms of the tenancy. This includes details such as:

Your Name
Property Address
Rent amount & Due date
What repairs are the tenant/landlord responsible for
The bills that the tenant must pay
Etc.

This information is to be given before the tenant signs a tenancy agreement

It’s vital that you, the landlord, issue these documents correctly to avoid fines and other complications down the road – such as when trying to regain possession.

2. Revise your rent increases

From May 1st, rent increases must be:

Made only once every 12 months
Served with at least 2 months’ notice
Served via Section 13 only – Rent review clauses and verbal agreements are not acceptable forms of rent increase.

If you are planning to increase the rent, you should always discuss it with the tenant rather than sending an unexpected notice.

3. Check your ads

The act is changing how properties can be advertised, so if you market your own properties, make sure you double-check your listing’s copy to ensure you meet the following rules:

No more than one month’s rent upfront – Landlords cannot accept more than one month of rent upfront. Rent can only be accepted once all parties have signed the tenancy agreement.
No applicant discrimination – You cannot decline prospective clients purely because they have children, pets (unless forbidden by a superior lease), or are in receipt of benefits. This prevents landlords from placing blanket bans on their listings.
No bidding wars – You can only accept the asking price of a property’s advertisement. Landlords cannot incentivise or accept offers above the advertised price – this extends to wording such as “Offers above £1250pcm”, for example.

4. Paper trails & compliance

Local authorities have more ability to investigate whether renters’ rights are being respected, so keep all records safe and up to date.

Everything from CP12s to deposit information to evidence of served documents – make sure everything has a digital record to exemplify your due diligence and duty of care as a landlord.

Should you ever have to appear in court for a tenancy dispute, having a clear paper trail showing you served the right documentation at the right time will make your case all the more simple to review and rule in your favour.

If you have any questions about the Renters’ Rights Act or how you may be affected, get in touch with us today.