The Renters Rights Act 2025, much of which is due to come into force on 1 May 2026, will change the renting landscape considerably.
Tenants are likely to remain in properties for longer, and landlords will face greater enforcement action both from Local Authorities and likely also from their tenants.
Landlords should use the time before commencement to consider their position. Here are my tips:
My first tip – Carry out an inspection of your property
Ideally, all rented properties should be inspected not less than once every six months, and ideally every three months. This is to ensure that all is well and there are no problem issues, for example:
- Tenants have not made you liable under the licensing rules by allowing extra people into occupation. For example a family with two children who take in a lodger will turn the property into a licensable HMO.
- Tenants are not carrying out illegal activities at the property. The worst being turning the property into a cannabis farm.
- There are no repair issues that need to be dealt with. Bearing in mind that many issues, if lef,t could become more serious and expensive to deal with
Notice must always be given to tenants first, and inspections carried out at reasonable times and with the consent of your tenant.
Many landlords and their agents fail to carry out sufficient or indeed any inspection visits at all. This is a big mistake and could end up costing you dearly in fines and penalties. Plus, if your insurance requires you to do inspection visits, they may refuse claims if you have not done them.
If you are worried about doing inspections, our Property Inspection Kit (available free of charge to all Landlord Law members) can help.
My second tip – Do an audit of your property
All landlords should carry out a general review of their property to make sure that they are compliant with all the rules.
It is all too easy to forget things – for example have you:
- Protected your property against fraud at the Land Registry
- Checked to see if your property requires and an HMO or selective license?
- Complied with the Data Protection rules?
- Protected your tenants deposit properly?
- Obtained your gas safety certificate?
With local authorities shortly to be under a new duty to enforce, historic non-compliance is more likely to be discovered.
To help landlords, I have developed a Property Audit Kit (also available free of charge to Landlord Law members, which takes you through all the things you need to check.
After having done your inspection and audit, you can work out what needs to be done to make your property compliant with the new rules. And also consider whether this particular property will be viable long-term.
My third tip – for tenants – cooperate with your landlords
This tip is for tenants. If you want to stay at your property, you need to ensure that your landlord does not serve a section 21 notice on you before 1 May (assuming they can lawfully do so).
Most landlords will be considering whether they should do this while they still can.
Once past that date, it will be harder for your landlord to evict you, as they will have to give a reason and prove it at court.
So co-operate with them and do all you can to show that you are a good tenant who they can trust to look after their property properly.
And finally
Landlords can find out more about Landlord Law membership here.
The government has treated landlords unfairly with the 2% property income tax on top of standard tax. I shall sell the proprty I let once the current tenants leave, 1 less property available to rent. I inherited the property, a modest ex Council house & felt that not only could I gain an income from it, it would make an affordable rented property available. I have great tenants & don’t want to pass the 2% increase on to them.