Some of you may have seen that the government have announced that the first phase of implementation for the Renter’s Rights Act will happen on 1st May 2026.
As part of this announcement, they have released an implementation timeline as well as guidance for landlord and letting agents.
In short, from 1st May 2026 they will:
- abolish section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions.
- introduce Assured Periodic Tenancies in the private rented sector (PRS).
- reform possession grounds in the PRS so they are fair for both parties.
- limit rent increases to once a year in the PRS.
- ban rental bidding and rent in advance.
- make it illegal to discriminate against renters who have children or receive benefits.
- require landlords in the PRS to consider tenant requests to rent with a pet.
- strengthen both local council enforcement and rent repayment orders.
For further reading, please see the government pages on:
- the implementation timeline – https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/renters-rights-act-2025-implementation-roadmap/implement…
- the landlord and agent guidance – https://www.gov.uk/guidance/renting-out-your-property-guidance-for-landlords-and-letting-agents.
We are preparing training for 2026 covering the changes that the new legislation brings. Details on the schedule for 2026 training will be released by us soon.
If you have any questions, please reach out to us via 0191 277 1438 or at privaterentedservice@newcastle.gov.uk.