Renters' Rights Act 2025

The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 is now law. It significantly amends and updates existing legislation to transform the private rented sector, including Housing Act 1988, Tenants Fees Act 2019 and Housing Act 2004. These changes will apply to new and existing tenancies. Note that whenever landlords are referenced in this information it is also referring to letting agents, managing agents, or anyone acting on the landlord's behalf.

Reforms to the private rented sector in England are bringing in new rights and responsibilities for landlords and tenants.

The first phase of reforms will be introduced on 1 May 2026 with a new tenancy system, including an end to Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions, alongside measures to end rental bidding, rental discrimination and rent in advance.

On 1 May 2026 most Assured Shorthold Tenancies (ASTs) will convert into Assured Periodic Tenancies (APTs) which means that certain clauses in existing tenancy agreements will become invalid:

Fixed term clauses, contractual rent review clauses, break clauses, blanket pet bans, rent periods exceeding one month.

Stay informed and up-to-date on the tenancy reforms

Information for Landlords

Most landlords must have given The Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet 2026 to avoid a penalty or risk being unable to gain repossession of their property.

If you have a tenancy that was made after 1 May 2026 then you must provide certain written information about key terms of the tenancy. If you had a tenancy based entirely on a verbal agreement made before 1 May, you must also have provided this written information. You can find out more about this in the Tenancy agreements: written information for your tenant guidance.

After the 31 May 2026, landlords and tenants can still refer to the Information Sheet to understand how their tenancy has changed due to the Renters’ Rights Act 2025.

Exemptions to giving the Information Sheet before 31 May

The following information applies to landlords who gave a valid section 21 or section 8 notice to their tenant before 1 May 2026. In these cases, the landlord has one month to give their tenant the information sheet. This period runs from either the date the notice is no longer valid, or when the court process has finished.

The Information Sheet must be given if the tenancy:

is an assured or assured shorthold tenancy
becomes an assured periodic tenancy after 1 May 2026 due to the notice no longer being valid or court proceedings having concluded without possession having been granted
has a wholly or partly written record of terms (including a written tenancy agreement)

The Information Sheet is a document produced by the government for tenants. It explains how their tenancy may be affected by the changes introduced by the Renters’ Rights Act 2025.

If you don't comply:

If landlords don’t comply, you may have to pay a financial penalty of up to £7,000 or £40,000 (depending on the nature of the non-compliance) imposed or prosecuted by North Devon Council and be liable to pay an unlimited fine. You may also have a Rent Repayment Order made against you if you commit certain offences, requiring you to pay up to two years’ rent to your tenant or North Devon Council.