The government has just published 24 pieces of guidance – see links below. This follows the announcement that the implementation date for phase 1 will be 1 May 2026 and just goes to show what a complex piece of legislation this is!
From 1 May, existing tenancies and new private tenancies in England will migrate to the new system. If you have already issued an assured shorthold tenancy it will automatically convert to the new tenancy system. New tenancies signed on or after 1 May will have to follow the new rules, including the cap on rent in advance and the new processes for rent increases and pets.
Section 21 notices served before May 1 2026 remain valid until they expire, which will be six months from service or until the tenant vacates. The Act specifies that all new tenancies must have a written tenancy agreement that includes specific information to be set out by the government in secondary legislation.
If you have already issued a written assured shorthold tenancy before 1 May, you won’t need to change or re-issue the existing written agreement. Instead, landlords will need to provide tenants with a copy of the government-produced information sheet within one month, explaining how the reforms may have affected the tenancy. This information sheet will be made available by the government before 1 May!
- Overview for landlords: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/renting-out-your-property-guidance-for-landlords-and-letting-agents/renters-rights-act-an-overview-for-landlords
- Tenancy agreements overview: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/renting-out-your-property-guidance-for-landlords-and-letting-agents/tenancy-agreements-overview
- Tenancy types: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/renting-out-your-property-guidance-for-landlords-and-letting-agents/tenancy-types
- Rental bidding: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/renting-out-your-property-guidance-for-landlords-and-letting-agents/rental-bidding-a-guide-for-landlords
- Rental discrimination: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/renting-out-your-property-guidance-for-landlords-and-letting-agents/rental-discrimination-a-guide-for-landlords
- If someone who has children wants to rent your property: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/renting-out-your-property-guidance-for-landlords-and-letting-agents/rental-discrimination-a-guide-for-landlords
- If someone who receives benefits wants to rent your property: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/renting-out-your-property-guidance-for-landlords-and-letting-agents/if-someone-who-receives-benefits-wants-to-rent-your-property
- If someone reports you for rental discrimination: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/renting-out-your-property-guidance-for-landlords-and-letting-agents/if-someone-reports-you-for-rental-discrimination
- Rent payments and deposits: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/renting-out-your-property-guidance-for-landlords-and-letting-agents/rent-payments-and-deposits
- Fees you can charge as part of a tenancy: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/renting-out-your-property-guidance-for-landlords-and-letting-agents/fees-you-can-charge-as-part-of-a-tenancy
- Rent increases: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/renting-out-your-property-guidance-for-landlords-and-letting-agents/rent-increases
- If a tenant wants to keep a pet: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/renting-out-your-property-guidance-for-landlords-and-letting-agents/if-a-tenant-wants-a-pet-to-live-with-them
- Dealing with anti-social behaviour: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/renting-out-your-property-guidance-for-landlords-and-letting-agents/dealing-with-antisocial-behaviour
- Resolving issues with your tenant: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/renting-out-your-property-guidance-for-landlords-and-letting-agents/resolving-issues-with-your-tenant
- Ending a tenancy: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/renting-out-your-property-guidance-for-landlords-and-letting-agents/ending-a-tenancy
- If your tenant wants to leave: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/renting-out-your-property-guidance-for-landlords-and-letting-agents/if-your-tenant-wants-to-leave
- Evicting tenants overview: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/renting-out-your-property-guidance-for-landlords-and-letting-agents/evicting-tenants-overview
- Giving notice to evict tenants: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/renting-out-your-property-guidance-for-landlords-and-letting-agents/giving-notice-to-evict-tenants
- Standard possession claims: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/renting-out-your-property-guidance-for-landlords-and-letting-agents/standard-possession-claims
- Giving notice before May 1 2026: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/renting-out-your-property-guidance-for-landlords-and-letting-agents/giving-notice-of-possession-to-tenants-before-1-may-2026
- Repossessing your privately rented property after May 1 2026: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/renting-out-your-property-guidance-for-landlords-and-letting-agents/repossessing-your-privately-rented-property-on-or-after-1-may-2026
- Possession hearings and orders: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/renting-out-your-property-guidance-for-landlords-and-letting-agents/possession-hearings-and-orders
- If tenants do not follow the possession order: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/renting-out-your-property-guidance-for-landlords-and-letting-agents/if-tenants-do-not-follow-the-possession-order
- Enforcement measures for landlords: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/renting-out-your-property-guidance-for-landlords-and-letting-agents/enforcement-measures-for-landlords
