The private rental sector is entering a period of major transition, with new legislation expected to change how landlords manage tenancies, property standards, and tenant disputes. As regulatory expectations continue to rise, landlords across the UK should begin reviewing their current processes and documentation now to avoid potential risks later. Staying organised and prepared early will make adapting to the upcoming changes far more manageable.

New private renting rules in England came into effect on 1 May 2026.

So, what essential steps should you take right now as a private rented landlord under the new Renter’s Rights Act? Here’s the advice from the UK Government:

1. Provide new information to your existing tenants

If your current tenancy started before 1 May 2026 and has a written record of the tenancy’s terms (including a written tenancy agreement), you need to give your tenants a copy of the government’s Information Sheet. This explains what the new rules mean for the tenancy agreement.

You must send this to your tenants on or before 31 May 2026, or you could face a fine of up to £7,000.

If your current tenancy started before 1 May 2026 and is based entirely on a verbal agreement, you’ll need to give your tenant a written record of specific terms of the agreement before 31 May 2026. You will need to do this instead of providing the Information Sheet.

It must include your name, address for service, rent details, and a summary of your repair obligations. You can find details of the information you need to provide on GOV.UK. You must do this before 31 May 2026, instead of providing the information sheet.

2. Prepare your new tenancies created on or after 1 May 2026

For tenancies created on or after 1 May 2026, you need to provide your tenants with certain information about the tenancy in writing. You could do this in a written tenancy agreement.

This must include your name, address for service, rent details and a summary of your repair obligations, along with other specific and mandatory information.

You can find details of the information you need to provide on GOV.UK.

3. Publish asking price rents

You now need to publish an asking price rent for your property in any adverts you put out.

You cannot ask prospective tenants to bid above this amount (or accept any such bids), and you cannot ask new tenants to pay more than one month’s rent in advance.

4. Familiarise yourself with the new forms

As a landlord, you’ll need to use forms at different points in a tenancy, for example, when you need to increase the rent or take possession of your property.

Access the new assured tenancy forms on GOV.UK.

5. Student landlord? Prepare to use Ground 4A

If you’re a student landlord, you have until 31 May this year to formally write to your tenants to inform them that you may evict them using Ground 4A.

Once you’ve told them, from 1 May to 30 July 2026, you can then give them 2 months’ notice, instead of 4 months, to end the tenancy using Ground 4A.

Don’t delay it, as it’s temporary. This short-term change is to help continue the normal flow of student properties coming onto the market for new university students starting in September.

After 30 July 2026 you will need to give at least 4 months’ notice. You can see further guidance for ending a tenancy on GOV.UK.

6. Speak to your letting agent

If you’re using a letting agency, you should consider talking to them about what these changes mean for you.

You should also consider taking your own legal advice about complex matters.

7. Keep a record-keeping checklist

Here are our tips for protecting yourself with record-keeping processes.

  • Audit your portfolio: Check your current tenancies now and run a full review of any documents or paperwork you’re missing or don’t have a record of serving. You should also clean up your listings, emails and agent scripts, and if you’re a bigger landlord with a website, check that it’s compliant.

  • Track renewal deadlines: Don’t wait for a certificate to expire. Set reminders 6 weeks in advance to ensure you have a paper trail of compliance.

  • Check for clauses that restrict tenants: Clauses that restrict tenants with children or those receiving benefits will become null. Review your mortgage, insurance and tenancy documents to remove any such clauses. This is a key part of the measures to prevent rental discrimination.

  • Stay in line with GDPR: You need to be registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office when you’re storing tenant data, even if it is just their number on your phone. You also need to have a published privacy policy to make it clear how you use, store and delete tenants’ information.

  • Go digital: Use a digital storage system or property management app. This ensures your certificates and notices are always accessible for inspections or if you need to go to court.

  • Sign up to email alerts via GOV.UK: These will tell you important information from the government as and when you need it.

  • Stay informed: The 2026 regulatory landscape is still evolving, with more changes coming in the future. Regularly check updates from the government to ensure you remain registered and compliant.

The UK Government have prepared a simple landlord’s checklist which will also help show what you need to do to prepare, and when you need to do it.

For more information and guidance on the changes, visit the government’s Housing Hub.

 

Key takeaways

  • We’ve set out the 7 essential steps for every private landlord in partnership with the UK Government
  • You need to provide existing tenants with a copy of the government’s Information Sheet before 31 May 2026
  • If you have any existing tenancies based on verbal agreements, you need to provide a written record of specific terms of the agreement before 31 May 2026
  • For new tenancies starting after 1 May 2026, you need to make sure you give tenants the required tenancy information in writing
  • You need to ensure all written adverts for your properties include an asking price rent
  • Familiarise yourself with the new forms and full government guidance to fully understand the new rules