Deposit
Protect qualifying tenancy deposits and provide the prescribed information within 30 days.
Official guidance ↗Free practical resource · England only
2026 landlord
change checklist
Eight actions to check after the private-renting changes that took effect on 1 May 2026, plus the standing safety and record-keeping basics that still matter.
Checked against GOV.UK guidance on 15 September 2026. Informational only—not legal advice.
This page is for mainstream private assured tenancies in England. Different rules can apply to lodgers, company lets, holiday lets, regulated tenancies, long leases, some student accommodation and social housing.
What changed
The eight-point review
Work through each item for your documents, adverts and day-to-day process. Every point links to its official source.
Replace old AST and fixed-term wording
New mainstream private tenancies are assured periodic tenancies. They run weekly or monthly without a fixed end date. Existing ASTs automatically became periodic on 1 May 2026.
Assured periodic tenancies: landlord guide ↗Give the required written information
For a new tenancy agreed from 1 May 2026, provide the prescribed key information before signing or otherwise agreeing the tenancy. Existing wholly verbal tenancies also require written information.
Written-information requirements ↗Check the transition information was served
Tenants with an existing written agreement should have received the government’s Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet by 31 May 2026. Keep evidence showing when and how each named tenant received it.
Official 2026 information sheet ↗Update advertising and rent-in-advance processes
State a specific asking rent, do not encourage or accept bids above it, and do not take rent before the tenancy agreement is signed. After signing, advance rent is normally limited to one month.
Renters’ Rights Act overview ↗Use the new rent-increase process
For assured periodic tenancies, increases are limited to once a year and not within the first 12 months of a new tenancy. Use Form 4A and give at least two months’ notice.
Current assured-tenancy forms ↗Replace Section 21 workflows
Section 21 no-fault eviction is no longer available. Possession requires a valid statutory ground, the correct current form, the right notice period and, where necessary, a court order.
Possession guidance after 1 May 2026 ↗Create a fair pet-request process
Tenants can request permission to keep a pet. Consider each request and record the decision and reasons rather than applying a blanket refusal.
Renters’ Rights Act overview ↗Remove discriminatory letting filters
Do not refuse applicants because they receive benefits or have children. Review adverts, scripts, referencing rules and instructions given to agents or contractors.
Rental-discrimination guidance ↗
Do not lose the basics
Standing compliance checks
The tenancy reforms did not make the existing safety and evidence duties disappear.
Gas
Arrange annual Gas Safe checks and give the tenant the record before occupation or within 28 days of the check.
Official guidance ↗Electrical
Have the installation inspected by a qualified person at least every five years and retain/provide the report as required.
Official guidance ↗Fire and carbon monoxide
Fit and test the required smoke and carbon-monoxide alarms and keep escape routes and supplied furnishings safe.
Official guidance ↗Right to rent
Complete and retain the required checks for every adult occupier before the tenancy starts.
Official guidance ↗EPC and licensing
Keep a valid EPC and confirm whether selective, additional or HMO licensing applies locally.
Official guidance ↗Evidence worth retaining
Keep the document and the delivery trail
For agreements, information sheets, notices, certificates and prescribed information, retain the exact version used, the property and tenancy it relates to, who received it, how it was delivered and when.
Built by Brakan
Keep the portfolio and its evidence connected.
Brakan is opening a small free pilot for UK landlords and property-management teams who want records, deadlines and documents in one organised workspace.