The Renters' Rights Act:
what landlords need to know
The biggest shake-up to private renting in a generation. Section 21 goes, fixed terms end, and new obligations arrive. Here's what changes — and how to stay compliant.
Timeline
Royal Assent
The Renters' Rights Act received Royal Assent, passing into law.
Commencement
Key provisions take effect. Existing ASTs convert to Assured Periodic Tenancies.
Phased rollout
PRS Ombudsman, Property Portal, and Decent Homes Standard phased in.
Key changes at a glance
Eight headline reforms that every England landlord must prepare for.
Section 21 Abolished
No-fault evictions end. Landlords must use strengthened Section 8 grounds to regain possession.
Fixed-Term Tenancies End
All tenancies become periodic from day one. ASTs transition to Assured Periodic Tenancies (APTs).
New Information Sheet
A government-issued information sheet must be served individually to every tenant at tenancy start. Penalty: up to £7,000.
Decent Homes Standard
Private rented homes must meet the Decent Homes Standard for the first time, with Awaab's Law addressing hazards.
Pet Requests
Tenants gain the right to request pets. Landlords must respond within 42 days and cannot unreasonably refuse.
Private Rented Sector Ombudsman
A new Ombudsman for dispute resolution. All landlords must register with the PRS database.
Rent Increase Limits
Rent increases limited to once per year via Section 13 notices. Tenants can challenge at a tribunal.
Strengthened Enforcement
Local authorities gain expanded powers to issue fines up to £40,000. Rent Repayment Orders extended.
Deep-dive guides
Detailed breakdowns of the biggest changes and what they mean in practice.
Assured Periodic Tenancies
Understand how existing ASTs convert to APTs on 31 May 2026, what periodic-from-day-one means, and how possession grounds change.
Read guide What you must do differentlyNew Compliance Requirements
The mandatory Information Sheet, updated document-serving obligations, and penalties of up to £7,000 for non-compliance.
Read guideHow RentSure keeps you compliant
We've already updated our compliance engine for the Renters' Rights Act.
Automatic Compliance Tracking
Every new requirement is added to your property's compliance checklist with due dates and reminders.
Document Serving & Proof
Record when and how each tenant received required documents, with timestamped audit trails.
Tenancy Type Labelling
Properties automatically reflect the AST to APT transition after 31 May 2026.
Expiry & Renewal Alerts
Receive reminders before certificates expire or when tenancy documents need re-serving.
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