New Year, New Start, New Law
From 5th January 2026 to 30 April 2026 landlords, letting agents, law firms, local authorities, government departments, suppliers and PropTech firms across England will have 16 weeks and 4 days to ensure full operational, legal, and procedural readiness for the Renters’ Rights Act.
The Act represents one of the most significant reforms to the private rented sector in a generation and it will reshape the relationship between landlords, agents, tenants, and local authorities, introducing enhanced enforcement powers, stricter compliance expectations, and far greater scrutiny of day-to-day management practices.
New Local Authority Investigatory Powers - What Landlords and Letting Agents Need to Know
As from the 27th December 2025, the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 will introduce a new enforcement framework intended to improve standards across the private rented sector. At the heart of these reforms lies a set of investigatory powers being granted to local authroities in England.
Investigatory Powers
The purpose of the updated investigatory regime is to give councils the power to enforce legislation. These powers are not designed to be intrusive, they create a structured legal framework that ensures evidence is gathered lawfully, inspections are conducted professionally, and both letting agents’ and landlords’ rights are respected throughout the process.
ROPA - SURVEY
Since the publication of the White Paper in 2019, for the Regulation of Property Agents, ROPA has been discussed and then discussed again.
Over the last 7 months both the Housing Minister and Lord Best have made headlines by making reference to ROPA.
Supporting Our Clients through Legislative Change
The Guild of Letting & Management (GLM) is committed to supporting property professionals through every stage of the implementation of the Renters’ Rights Bill. As this new legislation introduces significant reforms to the private rented sector in England, we will be developing a robust suite of resources and tailored guidance to ensure full compliance.
1. Detailed Guidance Documents
We will provide written guidance covering all key elements of the legislation, including:-
Abolition of fixed-term tenancies and Section 21
Changes to possession grounds under Section 8
Pet Profile
Private Rented Sector (PRS) Database Compliance