Fact Sheet regarding the upcoming Renters Rights Act 2026.

With the May 1st deadline fast approaching, we have put together a fact sheet about the main changes happening initially. Further information will be posted to our website over the coming months, but please call us on 01252 834949 or email admin@luff-associates.com if you would like any further information.

• Tenancy Reform – All existing and new tenancies will be PERIODIC (rolling monthly contract). New Agreements will reflect this, and we will issue a UK Government-produced information sheet to all existing tenancies to advise of the changes to their contract.
• Tenants Notice Period – they will be required to give 2 months’ notice to end a tenancy. This can be given by the tenants at any time.
• Landlords Notice Period – these will change and you will have to provide a valid reason for serving the notice. The new notice will be a Section 8 and this will replace a Section 21. There are various grounds for the notice and attached is a document explaining these, each reason has a different notice period. New tenancies cannot be ended before a minimum of 12 months.

One important change to note is if a landlord serves notice because they want to sell the property, but no sale is achieved, and you would like to rent it back out again, you will not be able to re-let for 12 months from when the previous tenant vacated the property. We would suggest trying to sell the property with a tenant in situ and only serve the notice once a buyer has been found.

• Rent Increases – rents can only be increased once a year and this must be actioned by a Section 13 notice.
• Rent in advance – The Act prevents landlords from requesting rent to be paid in advance, for all new tenancies from May 1st, 2026.
• Right to request a pet – Landlords will be expected to consider a tenants request to have a pet at the property. A landlord will need a valid reason for refusing this.
• Discrimination in the rental market – landlords will not be able to discriminate against tenants with children or on benefits.

This is Phase One of the Act with two more phases to follow in due course. Luff Associates are fully prepared and ready to deal with any and all of the changes when they are implemented, so all of our landlords can rest assured that they will be well looked after.