The Renters' Rights Act - Six Months On
Six months after Phase 1 of the Renters' Rights Act 2025 came into force on 1st May 2026, the private rented sector in England is operating under a different legal framework. Section 21 has gone, every assured shorthold tenancy has become an assured periodic tenancy and Section 8 Notice (Form 3A) is the only legal route to possession.
The picture six months on is mixed. Landlords and letting agents who prepared well have found the new rules workable and in some respects clearer. Others have been caught out by procedural changes, tribunal challenges and confusion over the notice period when tenants serve notice.
Government Publishes Guidance for PRS Landlord Database
Yesterday the government published guidance on the Register Your Property Service as it will be known.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government published the guidance to assist landlords, letting agents and third parties registering on behalf of landlords navigate the new service and understand what actions they need to take.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government will also publish guidance for local councils.
Additional information – and all the deadlines - can be found the dedicated website https://lnkd.in/eQWUU_tK
Guidance for Landlords - https://lnkd.in/ezkZHcae
Guidance for Letting Agents & Property Managers - https://lnkd.in/e5X_qukM
Guidance for Third Parties - https://lnkd.in/eu9DpYaY
Audit Property Adverts, Referencing Processes and Notices
Almost six months after Phase 1 of the Renters' Rights Act 2025 came into force, enforcement is no longer a future concern. An agent has been fined for breaching the Act and councils across England are now publishing their enforcement policies, setting out exactly what they will be looking for and what breaches will cost landlords and letting agents.
For letting agents, the message is clear, a routine slip - error - omission - repeated across dozens of tenancies, for example, property details, a referencing question that has not been reviewed or a notice template that pre-dates 1st May 2026.
MHCLG Consultation - Extending Awaab's Law to the Private Rented Sector
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) published a consultation on extending Awaab's Law to private rented sector tenancies and to certain types of accommodation occupied under licence.
Awaab's Law was introduced in social housing sector in October 2025 and requires social landlords to investigate and address hazards such as damp and mould within set timescales. The consultation will use these existing social housing requirements as its starting point, however, it recognises that there are significant differences between the social and private rented sectors and seeks views and evidence on whether the same requirements would work effectively in the private rented sector, or whether modifications are needed to achieve the best outcomes.