Thanks to the Renters’ Rights Act, which came into force on May 1st, the private rented sector has undergone a massive transformation. The Act covers everything from rent prices to repairs, and from pet-keeping to grounds for possession. There’s a lot of information for UK landlords to process, which explains why our letting agents in Ilford have been deluged with enquiries from private landlords seeking guidance.
Our busy letting agents in Newbury Park have also seen a spike in requests for help. If you are still catching up with the Renters’ Rights Act, there’s no time to lose, as some deadlines for action have already passed.
Actions for existing UK tenancy agreements
The government has issued an information sheet (the Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet 2026) for current tenants. This explains the new rules and what they mean for the tenancy.
As a landlord, you are legally bound to give this to every tenant named on the rental agreement, provided that:
- The tenancy began before 1st May 2026
- The tenant has received a written account of the tenancy terms (this includes a formal tenancy agreement).
The deadline for providing this information sheet to your tenant was 31st May 2026. If you haven’t already sent it out, you should do so immediately, otherwise you could risk a fine of £7,000.
Some tenancies are based on a verbal agreement. If this is the case for a tenancy that started before 1st May 2026, the tenant will now need to receive an account of that agreement in writing. This will set out the key conditions of the tenancy. It should include the names of the parties involved, deposit details, the property address, landlord name and address, start date, rent amount, payment dates and notice periods.
What about new tenancies?
For new tenancies you will need to provide a written statement of terms, along with the standard tenancy agreement. As above, this should include all relevant names, addresses, dates and financial terms, together with a summary of repair obligations and statutory duties. Full details can be found on the government website. This information should be provided before the tenant agrees or signs up to the tenancy.
Setting rent prices and payments in advance
You are now legally required to publish the rental price for your property in any advertisements.
Rent increases can only be requested once a year, and the amount proposed should reflect local market prices.
‘Bidding wars’, where applicants are encouraged to bid above the listed rent price, have been banned. You cannot ask for a higher price than that advertised, nor can you accept an offer from a prospective tenant to pay more.
The Renters’ Rights Act has also set limits on the amount of rent you can request upfront. It is now restricted to just one month’s rent in advance.
How can I keep on top of the changes?
Here’s a checklist of actions you can take to improve efficiency and stay legally compliant.
Familiarise yourself with new notice periods: ‘no fault’ evictions are now banned and notice periods have changed. You can find the latest information on the gov.uk website.
Review your rental portfolio: look for any tenancy paperwork or documents that might need updating. Go over template emails, agent scripts and website copy to ensure that the text reflects recent legal changes.
Set up reminders: establish reminders at least six weeks in advance of a deadline to avoid the risk of a certificate going out of date.
Be aware of new measures to outlaw discrimination: examine your insurance, mortgage and tenancy documents and remove any clauses that ban tenants receiving benefits, or those with children.
Observe GDPR rules: when storing tenant data you must be registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office (registration costs around £40 annually). You should also publish a privacy policy, showing that you handle and dispose of tenants’ data appropriately.
Keep abreast of the changes: while the first phase of the Renters’ Rights Act became law in May, there are two more phases to come.
Phase two (late 2026) will focus on new regulatory systems, including the creation of a Landlord Ombudsman and a national database of landlords.
Phase three (date yet to be confirmed) will look at living conditions in rental properties. It will introduce the Decent Homes Standard and Awaab’s Law to the private rented sector.
I need more help. Who can I ask?
If you are an east London landlord, or you’re thinking of becoming one, we are always ready to help. Our landlords relax in the knowledge that our qualified lettings staff will keep up to date with all the latest legal changes.
In addition to our tenant-finding service, we also offer full property management for complete peace of mind. Simply get in touch now to share your plans with our friendly lettings team.
Call us at 020 3972 7341 or email info@oaklandestates.co.uk.
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