Implementation of the legislative Roadmap will be a three-stage rollout. Phase One focuses solely on tenancy reform: the transition to periodic tenancies, limits on rent in advance, a ban on rental bidding, clearer rules on rent increases via Section 13 notices, strengthened anti-discrimination measures, and new rights around pets.
Propertymark will continue to engage closely with the UK Government to ensure the reforms are delivered in a way that maintains landlord confidence, encourages investment in rental homes, and allows agents to focus on providing safe, high-quality housing.
What happens on 1 May 2026?
- All existing assured shorthold tenancies will automatically convert to the new tenancy system.
- All new tenancies signed on or after this date will follow the new rules, including the cap on rent in advance and the new processes for rent increases and pets.
This is a sector-wide reset. Agents should begin reviewing processes, documentation, and client communications now to support landlords and tenants through the transition.
Section 21 will not disappear overnight
Any Section 21 notice served before 1 May 2026 remains valid until it expires (six months from service) or until the tenant vacates.
This provides an operational buffer during the changeover and avoids a last-minute rush on possession processes.
Written statements and tenancy documentation
As set out in the Act, all new tenancies must have a written tenancy agreement that includes specific information to be set out by the UK Government in secondary legislation.
Landlords won’t need to change or re-issue existing written tenancy agreements. Instead, they will need to provide tenants with a copy of this UK Government-produced information sheet, explaining how the reforms may have affected the tenancy. We are working with MHCLG on the details to be contained within the information sheet, with further details to be provided later.
If an existing tenancy doesn’t currently have a written tenancy agreement — because it is based on a verbal agreement or because it is a protected (rent act) tenancy — landlords will need to provide the tenant with a written document that covers the required information.
View the list of Renters' Rights Act 2025 guidance →
What’s next?
Further phases of the Act will follow:
- Phase Two (late 2026): Landlord Ombudsman and new PRS Database
- Phase Three (TBC, consultation expected 2035–2037): Decent Homes Standard and Awaab’s Law
Support for members
We have created resources to help professionals with the transition as the enactment details become final. Propertymark Members—check your communication preferences to ensure you are receiving newsletters and legislative updates to stay informed every step of the way.
Renters’ Rights Act Toolkit
The Toolkit breaks down the legislation to help you inform your landlords and tenants. We have four guides covering the key things lettings agents need to know and what they need to think about to adapt, including the student rental market, ten key changes landlords must be aware of, and a quick guide for tenants.
Online or in-house training
Learn from renowned industry experts who will take you through how the Renters’ Rights legislation will affect landlords and agents. They will provide practical tips, insights and actionable advice on how to adjust to the new regime, covering periodic tenancies, eviction grounds, rent increases, enforcement, and much more.
Video playlist
We've created easy-to-share, bite-sized video explainers for the key elements of the legislation, including periodic tenancies, rent increases, PRS database, Ombudsman, redress, and the Decent Homes Standard. Fantastic to support your communication with landlords and tenants about how the sector will be impacted.
With increasing layers of regulation, it has never been more important for landlords to use a qualified, professional, and regulated letting agent to help navigate the complexity of compliance and ensure both landlords and tenants are properly protected.
Professional agents play a vital role in supporting good practice, reducing risk, and maintaining standards across the sector. That makes it even more important that the UK Government proceeds with these reforms in a way that maintains landlord confidence, incentivises continued investment in private rental housing, and enables letting agents and landlords to deliver high-quality homes for tenants.
