🔴 In force since 1 May 2026

Are You Compliant with the
Renters' Rights Act 2026?

Answer 10 quick questions about your rental properties and get a personalised compliance checklist with deadlines and fine exposure amounts — free, no signup required.

2.65MUK landlords affected
£40,000maximum fine per breach
3 minto complete this check
Start My Compliance Check →

⚖️ Not legal advice. For guidance only. Always consult a qualified solicitor for your specific situation.

Advertisement

Your Personalised Compliance Check

Answer the questions below. Your results appear instantly at the bottom — no email required.

Question 1 of 10

How many rental properties do you own in England?

The Renters' Rights Act applies to England only. Wales has separate legislation.

What type of property do you primarily let?

Select the type that applies to most of your portfolio.

Are your tenancies new (started after 1 May 2026) or existing (pre-May 2026)?

Have you issued the official Renters' Rights Act Information Sheet to all tenants?

This is a mandatory document all landlords must provide. Failure to issue carries a fine up to £7,000.

Are you aware that Section 21 no-fault evictions are abolished?

Since 1 May 2026, landlords must use statutory Section 8 grounds to regain possession. Any Section 21 notices served before May 2026 are now void.

Is your tenants' deposit registered with a government-approved deposit protection scheme?

Required within 30 days of receipt. Schemes: DPS, MyDeposits, TDS. Failure carries a fine of 1–3× the deposit value.

Do you have a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) for each property?

Minimum EPC rating E required (Band C target by 2030). Must be provided to tenant before or at the start of tenancy.

Do you have a valid Gas Safety Certificate for each gas-fitted property?

Annual inspection by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Must be provided to tenant within 28 days of issue. Fine up to £6,000.

Do you have an up-to-date EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report)?

Required every 5 years. Must be provided to existing tenants within 28 days of inspection. Fine up to £30,000.

Do you have functioning smoke and carbon monoxide alarms installed?

Smoke alarm on every storey. CO alarm in every room with a fixed combustion appliance. Must be tested at start of each tenancy.

🧮 Fine Exposure Calculator

Tick the items you haven't yet completed to see your maximum cumulative fine exposure.

Estimated maximum fine exposure:
£0

Fines shown are statutory maximums. Actual fines depend on severity, intent, and local council enforcement discretion. First-time offenders typically receive lower fines.

Advertisement

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about the Renters' Rights Act 2026 and your compliance obligations.

What exactly did the Renters' Rights Act 2026 change?

The Act came into force on 1 May 2026 and made sweeping changes to the private rented sector in England:

  • Section 21 abolished — landlords can no longer evict without reason ("no-fault eviction")
  • All fixed-term ASTs converted to periodic (rolling) tenancies from 1 May 2026
  • New possession grounds under Section 8 now required to regain possession
  • Mandatory Information Sheet must be issued to all tenants
  • Awaab's Law extended to private sector — landlords must address hazardous conditions quickly
  • Rent increase restrictions — landlords can only increase rent once per year via a new Section 13 process
  • Pets clauses — tenants have the right to request a pet; landlords cannot unreasonably refuse
Are my existing tenancies affected, or only new ones?

Both. From 1 May 2026, all existing fixed-term ASTs automatically converted to periodic (month-to-month) tenancies. You do not need to issue new tenancy agreements, but you must comply with all new requirements — including issuing the Information Sheet — for existing tenants.

How do I evict a tenant now that Section 21 is abolished?

You must use a Section 8 notice citing one of the statutory grounds for possession. Key grounds include:

  • Ground 8 — rent arrears of 2+ months (mandatory)
  • Ground 1A — landlord or family member needs to move in (2 months notice; 12-month tenancy minimum)
  • Ground 6A — property sale (4 months notice; 12-month tenancy minimum)
  • Ground 14 — antisocial behaviour (discretionary)

Always seek legal advice before serving a Section 8 notice. gov.uk guidance →

What is the mandatory Renters' Rights Act Information Sheet?

This is an official government document that must be provided to every tenant. It explains their new rights under the Act — including the right to challenge rent increases, request pets, and the abolition of no-fault evictions. Failure to provide it carries a fine of up to £7,000.

Download the official Information Sheet from gov.uk →

Does the Renters' Rights Act apply to Wales and Scotland?

No. The Renters' Rights Act 2026 applies to England only. Wales has its own legislation (Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016, in force since December 2022). Scotland has separate housing legislation. Northern Ireland has its own rules.

Do I need to issue a new tenancy agreement for my existing tenants?

No — existing tenancies automatically converted to periodic tenancies on 1 May 2026 by operation of law. However, you must still issue the mandatory Information Sheet, ensure all safety certificates are in place, and ensure your deposit protection is current. It is good practice to confirm the new periodic tenancy terms in writing to your tenant.

I'm an HMO landlord — do I have extra obligations?

Yes. HMO landlords have additional requirements on top of the standard Renters' Rights Act obligations:

  • Mandatory HMO licence if 5+ people from 2+ households (and smaller HMOs in areas with selective licensing)
  • Enhanced fire safety requirements (interlinked alarms, fire doors, fire risk assessments)
  • Minimum room size requirements
  • Separate Information Sheets for each tenant/household

Official Resources & Tools

Authoritative sources and trusted property management platforms.

Official

gov.uk — Renters' Rights Act

Official government guidance on the Act, including the mandatory Information Sheet download.

Visit gov.uk →
Official

Deposit Protection Schemes

Register your deposit with DPS, MyDeposits, or TDS within 30 days of receipt.

Check Schemes →
Official

Gas Safe Register

Find a Gas Safe registered engineer for your annual gas safety inspection.

Find Engineer →
Recommended

DoorLoop

Modern property management software with UK compliance features, automated reminders, and integrated maintenance request tracking.

Try Free →
Recommended

Landlord Vision

UK landlord software built specifically for the UK market. Handles rent tracking, compliance certificates, Section 8 notices, and document storage.

Try Free →
Recommended

Goodlord

UK lettings platform covering tenancy agreements, referencing, compliance documents, and rent collection — built around the latest UK legislation.

Learn More →

Disclosure: Recommended tool links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you sign up, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend tools we have assessed as genuinely useful for UK landlords.

Advertisement