From May 1st 2026 there are numerous changes to legislation around renting in the private rental sector in England. The objective is the creation of a system that provides tenant protections alongside managing landlord interests and concerns.
There are a series of specific transitional arrangements in place between May1st and July 31st. These do not apply to all tenancies and may, amongst other details, depend if they are Student, or if any notices had been served prior to May 1st – We are happy to offer guidance.
The month of May is an important month to ensure you serve the Renters Rights Information Sheet, to tenants both existing and previously signed.
The following is a whistlestop tour of the main changes:
- Most Assured Shorthold Tenancies (ASTs) ceased on May 1st and have now moved automatically to Periodic Assured Tenancies. This removes the fixed term element of an AST and replaces it with extended notice periods from the tenant and specific reasons for a landlord to gain possession.
- Section 21, ‘No Fault’ evictions can no longer be served on tenants. However, those served prior to May 1st survive and can still be exercised, but there is a time limit of action by July 31st.
- Section 8, Mandatory and Non-Mandatory possession, there are several changes to the criteria, with key points of notes are the changes to notice periods and rights to take easier action in dealing with anti-social behaviour and eviction.
- Tenants can request to have a pet, with the process and timelines for acceptance now defined.
- Paying more than one month upfront, before a tenancy has commenced, is no longer permitted.
- Rent increases can still be applied to an agreement, with the steps and timelines having greater transparency. In short, rent can be increased, once a year and reflect market value. A tenant can challenge the increase through a tribunal process, for a nominal fee.
- Student lets, there are numerous changes for landlords and tenants, these include, but not limited to, a new Student Ground to end a tenancy, advance (termly) rent may be illegal and result in fines.
- There will be the introduction of a Private Rented Sector Landlord Ombudsman and a Landlord database. There will be a membership requirement and they will deal with a range of areas including complaints and listing all rental properties, with useful information around the legal obligations for Tenants and Landlords.
The changes are the biggest there have been for a generation. We are happy to assist with questions and concerns for Landlords and Tenants- give us a call or drop an email and we will see how we can assist.
Naturally, such change cannot be covered in a short article, therefore should not be treated as individual advice.