Renters' Rights Act 2025
What the Renters' Rights Act 2025 means for landlords
On 1st May, 2026, the Renters Rights Act becomes law, introducing major reforms to the private rented sector in England.
As a Thurrock landlord, it is essential for you to understand these changes and what you need to do to ensure compliance, avoid penalties and maintain a positive relationship with tenants.
What is changing?
The following changes will happen on 1st May 2026. If a letting agent acts on your behalf, then they will need to follow these rules too.
New rules on starting and ending tenancies
Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions will be abolished
- you will no longer be able to use Section 21 of the Housing Act 1988, which enables private landlords to evict Assured Shorthold Tenants (ASTs) without providing a reason, often termed 'no-fault evictions'
- you will only be able to evict tenants when you have a specific, legally valid reason, otherwise known as ‘possession grounds’
- possession grounds will be extended to make it easier for landlords to evict tenants when they want to sell the property, move into the property or move in members of their family
- the changes will also make it easier to evict tenants who commit anti-social behaviour
Fixed term tenancies will be banned
- most new and existing tenancies in the private rented sector will become assured periodic tenancies, or ‘rolling tenancies’
- this means renters will be able to stay in their property until they end the tenancy or until a landlord serves a valid notice to end it or obtains a court/possession order
- renters will be able to end the tenancy at any point by giving two months’ notice
How to prepare
- understand the new legal grounds for possession
- keep clear records if planning to sell, refurbish, or move in
- communicate openly with tenants to reduce disputes
Changes to rent and payments
Rent increases limited to once per year
- you have to follow the new legal process for increasing the rent
- this will include providing the tenant with notice, detailing the proposed rent increase at least two months’ before that increase is due to take effect
Rental bidding will be banned
- you have to include a specific price on any written property advertisement
- you won’t be allowed to ask for, encourage or accept an offer that’s higher
Requiring large amounts of rent in advance will be banned
- you’ll only be able to require up to one month’s rent in the period between all parties signing the tenancy and the tenancy starting
- you won’t be able to accept any payment of rent before this period
- once the tenancy has begun, you won’t be able to require any payment of rent before it’s due
How to prepare
- create a rent review calendar
- base any increases on market conditions
- keep records of rent changes and justifications
- get to know your market and do your research
New requirements for tenancies
Landlords will need to make sure they understand the new rules for tenancy agreements.
You need to make sure that you give your tenant written information about the terms of their tenancy.
- tenancies that started before 1st May 2026 – you won’t need to change or re-issue any existing written tenancy agreements. Instead, you need to send your tenants a government-produced information sheet before 31 May 2026. Access the information sheet here
- tenancies that start on or after 1st May 2026 – you need to provide your tenants with certain information about the tenancy in writing. You can do this in a tenancy agreement
How to prepare
- review and update all current tenancy agreements
- keep up to date via the government website
Discrimination against renters will be illegal
- you will not be able to do anything to make a tenant less likely to rent a property (or prevent them from renting it) because they have children or receive benefits
- this includes withholding information about a property (including its availability), preventing them from viewing it, and refusing to grant a tenancy
How to prepare
- review your screening process, focusing on affordability, references, and credit history
- remove outdated or exclusionary policies
- ensure agents follow the same standards
You must consider tenant requests to rent with a pet
- you have to consider and respond to your tenant’s request within a set timeframe and will have to provide valid reasons if you choose to refuse it
How to prepare
- develop a fair pet policy
- consider property suitability and maintenance needs
Stronger Local Authority Enforcement
Councils, including Thurrock Council, will have greater powers to investigate to enforce compliance.
From 1 May 2026, fines for breaches and offences will increase. There will also be an increase in Rent Repayment Orders.
How to prepare
- stay updated on local regulations
- conduct regular inspections
- engage proactively with the council
New requirement to issue 'The Renters’ Rights Act - Information Sheet'
- Landlords must give all tenants an official Information Sheet explaining how the Renters’ Rights Act affects their tenancy
- The sheet must be downloaded from the official GOV.UK page: The Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet 2025 - GOV.UK
- Deadline: The information sheet must be provided by 31st May 2026 or landlords may face a fine of up to £7,000.
You must give this Information Sheet if the tenancy
- is an assured or assured shorthold tenancy
- was created before 1st May 2026
- has a wholly or partly written record of terms (including a written tenancy agreement)
How it must be provided
- printed hard copy delivered by hand or posted or
- PDF attachment sent electronically e.g. email, text message, (do not provide a link to the PDF, as this will not be valid)
- a copy must be given to every tenant named on the tenancy agreement
- it is advisable to record when, how, and to whom the information sheet was provided
Further information
- the legislation does not require you to change or re-issue any existing written tenancy agreement
- if you have a tenancy based entirely on a verbal agreement, that was made before 1st May 2026, then you cannot give this Information Sheet. Instead, landlords must provide written key terms. You can find out more about this by searching GOV.UK for ‘Tenancy agreements: written information for your tenant’.
- Government guidance is available here: Renting out your property: guidance for landlords and letting agents.
- get more information about the rent changes
Other elements of the Renters’ Rights Act will take effect at later phases. This includes a database of private landlords, a new landlord Ombudsman to help resolve disputes and the implementation of Awaab’s Law and the Decent Homes Standard in the private rented sector.
Guidance will be published to help you understand what these changes mean for you and your business nearer the time.