The Renters’ Rights Act Is Coming. Are Landlords Ready?

The Renters’ Rights Act, expected to come into force in May 2026, will introduce the biggest change to the private rental sector in decades.

New compliance rules, stronger tenant protections and significantly larger financial penalties mean that landlords will need to pay closer attention to how their properties are managed.

For many landlords, the way rental properties operate today will not be the same in 2026.

Some of the key changes expected include:

• New compliance requirements for tenancy agreements 

• Greater scrutiny around tenant selection 

• A national landlord database 

• Larger fines for regulatory breaches 

• Changes to how rent increases are handled

While the legislation is designed to improve standards across the sector, it also means landlords must ensure their properties and processes remain compliant.

Preparation will be key.

Landlords who begin reviewing their properties, documentation and management processes now will find the transition far easier once the legislation takes effect.

To help landlords understand the upcoming changes, we’ve created a simple guide outlining 10 key things every landlord should know before May 2026.

Download the full guide here.