The first part of the Renters' Rights Act 2025 came into force on 1 May 2026. Here are the changes GOV.UK lists for landlords, with the dates still to come.
Not legal advice. Every figure on this page states what the linked gov.uk page says.
In force since 1 May 2026
GOV.UK's overview for landlords lists these changes.
No more section 21: you need a legal reason to evict.
Assured periodic tenancies run on a rolling basis, for example monthly, with no end date.
Rent goes up with Form 4A and at least 2 months' notice, no more than once a year.
A tenant can ask to keep a pet and you can only refuse if you have a valid reason.
It is illegal to encourage people to bid more than the advertised rent.
You cannot discriminate against tenants who are on benefits or have children.
From 1 May 2026 you give new tenants written information about key terms before the tenancy is signed. Existing tenants with written terms were due the Information Sheet by 31 May 2026.
The Register your rental property service opens for the West Midlands on 15 December 2026, then one region a month to the South West on 15 August 2027.
The government's roadmap expects landlord membership of the new ombudsman to be required in 2028.
The roadmap says the consultation on the Decent Homes Standard for private renting proposed 2035 or 2037.
Letward turns the dated duties into reminders for each property: the register window, gas, electrics, EPC, right to rent follow-ups and a log of every document served.
Page updated 10 October 2026. Each source shows the date it was last checked. Each guide states what the linked government page says, with the dates and nothing more. England only.