After years of deliberation and months of preparation, the Renters’ Rights Act has now reached its commencement date. As a landlord, it is important that you understand the new rules and changes now in effect, but it is important to know that it is not all doom and gloom! GLP are ready to ride this new wave together with our landlords.

This morning I woke up to 13 new emails from the Government with further guidance outlining the Act for landlords and Tenants so I thought it was important to share with you so you had it all in one place - an overview for landlords

What Happens From Today

From now existing Assured Shorthold Tenancies (ASTs) have automatically converted into Assured Periodic Tenancies (APTs).

Importantly, this is not a new tenancy or a renewal—your existing tenancy continues, but with updated terms under the new legislation.

Key Actions for Landlords

• No need for a new tenancy agreement
• If you already have a written AST, it remains valid—there is no requirement to issue a new agreement.
• Information Sheet requirement
• You must serve the new Information Sheet by 31 May 2026.
• Compliance documents remain valid, (there is no need to re-serve)
• Deposits, there is no requirement to re-protect existing deposits.

Major Changes Now in Effect, (gov. guidance here).

• No more Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions – private landlords can no longer evict tenants without a valid reason using a section 8 notice. Gov guidance here
• Goodbye to fixed contracts – all tenancies in the private rented sector will roll on from month to month or week to week (depending on your arrangement) with no end date, giving renters more flexibility. Tenants can end them with two months’ notice.
• Fairer rent rules – landlords can only raise rent once a year and renters can challenge unfair hikes, using a form 4a notice.
• No more bidding wars – landlords must stick to no more than the advertised rent price.
• One month’s rent upfront, max – landlords can’t ask for more.
• No discrimination – it’s now illegal to refuse tenants just because they receive benefits or have kids.
• Pets welcome – renters can now ask to live with a pet and landlords must reasonably consider it.

Additional Considerations

Notice served by one tenant will end the tenancy for all parties. Where remaining tenants wish to stay, a new agreement will be required.

Existing guarantor agreements are expected to continue, although this will depend on the wording. We recommend reviewing these where necessary.

• Existing agreements allowing rent in advance remain valid.
• For new tenancies, requesting rent in advance is no longer permitted.
• Requesting rent before a tenancy is fully signed by all parties may breach the Tenant Fees Act. link here.
• Tenants can voluntarily pay rent in advance if it is better for their cash flow.