{"id":11421,"date":"2026-04-24T13:52:17","date_gmt":"2026-04-24T12:52:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lonres.com\/public\/?p=11421"},"modified":"2026-04-24T13:52:19","modified_gmt":"2026-04-24T12:52:19","slug":"renters-rights-act-2025-what-letting-agents-must-do-now","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lonres.com\/public\/renters-rights-act-2025-what-letting-agents-must-do-now\/","title":{"rendered":"Renters\u2019 Rights Act 2025: what letting agents must do now"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"11421\" class=\"elementor elementor-11421\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f332fa8 main-header e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"f332fa8\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-db71be6 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"db71be6\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a9ccaf5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-Breadcrumb\" data-id=\"a9ccaf5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"Breadcrumb.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"breadcrumb-wrap\"><ul id=\"breadcrumbs\" class=\"breadcrumb breadcrumb-navigation\"><li class=\"item-home\"><a class=\"bread-link bread-home\" href=\"https:\/\/lonres.com\/public\/\" title=\"Home\"><span class=\"bread-desktop\">Home<\/span><span class=\"bread-mobile\">...<\/span><\/a><\/li><li class=\"separator separator-home\"> \/ <\/li><\/ul><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c2cac53 elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"c2cac53\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Renters\u2019 Rights Act 2025: what letting agents must do now\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-738f603 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"738f603\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3ccdfcb e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"3ccdfcb\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8369a99 elementor-widget elementor-widget-Post Date\" data-id=\"8369a99\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"Post Date.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"meta-info\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a title=\"News\" href=\"https:\/\/lonres.com\/public\/resources\/lonres-news\">News<\/a> <span class=\"divider\">|<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"date\">24 Apr 2026<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a7fb1dd e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"a7fb1dd\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c3f5118 elementor-widget elementor-widget-Share This\" data-id=\"c3f5118\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"Share This.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"social-share-widget\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"title-text\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"desktop-show\">Share<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#\" class=\"share-icon mobile-show\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lonres.com\/public\/wp-content\/themes\/lonres\/assets\/images\/share-icon.svg\" alt=\"Share\" title=\"Share\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"social-share-icon-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"addtoany-wrap\"><div class=\"addtoany_shortcode\"><div class=\"a2a_kit a2a_kit_size_32 addtoany_list\" data-a2a-url=\"https:\/\/lonres.com\/public\/renters-rights-act-2025-what-letting-agents-must-do-now\/\" data-a2a-title=\"Renters\u2019 Rights Act 2025: what letting agents must do now\"><a class=\"a2a_button_linkedin\" href=\"https:\/\/www.addtoany.com\/add_to\/linkedin?linkurl=https%3A%2F%2Flonres.com%2Fpublic%2Frenters-rights-act-2025-what-letting-agents-must-do-now%2F&amp;linkname=Renters%E2%80%99%20Rights%20Act%202025%3A%20what%20letting%20agents%20must%20do%20now\" title=\"LinkedIn\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><\/a><a class=\"a2a_button_x\" href=\"https:\/\/www.addtoany.com\/add_to\/x?linkurl=https%3A%2F%2Flonres.com%2Fpublic%2Frenters-rights-act-2025-what-letting-agents-must-do-now%2F&amp;linkname=Renters%E2%80%99%20Rights%20Act%202025%3A%20what%20letting%20agents%20must%20do%20now\" title=\"X\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"custom-icon-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0245361 elementor-hidden-tablet elementor-hidden-mobile e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"0245361\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b4eefe1 elementor-absolute elementor-widget elementor-widget-Image Shape\" data-id=\"b4eefe1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_position&quot;:&quot;absolute&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"Image Shape.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"imageshape3647853977 desktopshape3647853977\">Image Shapae<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"imageshape3647853977 mobileshape3647853977\">Image Shapae<\/div>\n\t\t\t<style>\n\t\t\t\t.imageshape3647853977{text-indent: -9999px; overflow: hidden;}\n\t\t\t\t.imageshape3647853977{\n\t\t\t\t\tbackground-color: #EB2D8C00;\n\t\t\t\t\theight: px;\n\t\t\t\t\twidth: px;\n\t\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\t.imageshape3647853977.mobileshape3647853977{\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\theight: px;\n\t\t\t\t\twidth: px;\n\t\t\t\t}\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t.mobileshape3647853977{\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdisplay: none;\n\t\t\t\t\t}\n\n\t\t\t\t@media (max-width:767px) {\n\n\t\t\t\t\t.desktopshape3647853977{\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdisplay:none;\n\t\t\t\t\t}\n\n\t\t\t\t\t.mobileshape3647853977{\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdisplay: block;\n\t\t\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/style>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2fb573c e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"2fb573c\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-75e9edc e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"75e9edc\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-05771f6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"05771f6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Renters\u2019 Rights Act 2025 received Royal Assent on 27 October 2025 but the most significant changes come into effect from 1 May 2026. For agents and landlords operating in London and across the UK, the question is no longer what the Act says. It is whether you are ready for it.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-688051d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"688051d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The broad strokes of the Renters\u2019 Rights Act 2025 are already familiar to most agents. What matters now is the operational detail: the specific deadlines, the new documentation requirements, the mechanics of possession, and the compliance gaps that could prove costly if left unaddressed.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With the start date just days away, here is what you need to be acting on right now.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>30 April 2026: the last day to rely on the old rules<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">30 April 2026 is arguably the most pressing date in the calendar. After this point, Section 21 notices can no longer be served, and the current grounds for possession under Section 8 give way to a revised set of statutory grounds.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There is a narrow window for notices already served. Section 21 notices issued before 1 May can still be relied upon, but possession proceedings must be issued by <\/span><b>31 July 2026<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Miss that deadline and the notice becomes unenforceable, regardless of when it was served. Note that where a Section 8 notice seeking possession was also served before 1 May 2026, the landlord may similarly be able to proceed under the previous rules; tenants in that position should seek legal advice.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For agents managing portfolios with any pending possession matters, whether rent arrears, breach of tenancy, or a landlord wanting to sell or move back in, these dates need to be in the diary now.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-70cb16f e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"70cb16f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2499936 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"2499936\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a455e7c elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"a455e7c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lonres.com\/public\/wp-content\/uploads\/elementor\/thumbs\/RRA-Explainer-Image-1-scaled-rmfcqgnf7j0m4mgy7juc10vfp2zr3d4w22k3nh4r9c.jpg\" title=\"LONDON, ENGLAND &#8211; 03.05.2021. Street view of Kensington. Fragmen\" alt=\"London House with flowers\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a7c5d0e e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"a7c5d0e\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3b70f6e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3b70f6e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3><b>31 May 2026: the paperwork deadline you cannot miss<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From 1 May, the Act requires written documentation for every assured tenancy. The obligations differ depending on how the existing tenancy was originally created:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Existing written tenancy: landlords and agents must serve the prescribed information sheet on tenants by 31 May 2026. This form has been published and you can find it <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/assets.publishing.service.gov.uk\/media\/69bc04b8f7b1c24d8e23ce60\/The_Renters__Rights_Act_Information_Sheet_2026.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">here<\/a><\/span>.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Existing wholly oral tenancy: landlords must provide a full written statement of terms by 31 May 2026. There is no prescribed form, but the required content is set out in the regulations.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">New tenancies agreed on or after 1 May 2026: the written statement of terms must be provided before the tenancy is entered into.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Civil penalties apply for non-compliance. For student accommodation, there is an additional specific deadline: notice of reliance on Ground 4A which must be served by 31 May 2026.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-533b517 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"533b517\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6058fc4 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"6058fc4\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1071f88 elementor-widget-laptop__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1071f88\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3><b>Fixed-term tenancies are abolished. All tenancies become periodic.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From 1 May, assured shorthold tenancies (fixed-term ASTs) cease to exist as a legal entity. Every tenancy, whether new or existing, becomes an assured periodic tenancy with no fixed end date. The rental period will usually be monthly, unless the tenancy agreement provides for a shorter period such as weekly or fortnightly.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Any fixed end date in an existing tenancy will no longer apply from 1 May. Tenants wishing to end a tenancy may do so by giving two months\u2019 written notice, though a shorter period can be agreed in writing with the landlord (with all named tenants\u2019 consent). There is no prescribed form for this notice.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For agents, this removes the renewal moment that has historically structured the lettings cycle. The checkpoint where rent gets reviewed, the tenancy relationship reassessed, and possession considered no longer arrives automatically. What replaces it is a more continuous, advisory model of tenancy management, one that places greater weight on getting the tenancy right at the outset.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d3e5b57 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"d3e5b57\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cbd25d3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"cbd25d3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lonres.com\/public\/wp-content\/uploads\/elementor\/thumbs\/RRA-Explainer-Image-2-scaled-rmfd456uopqv4alibgqubkkyyzk34rg8lsej4gugow.jpg\" title=\"LONDON, ENGLAND &#8211; 03.05.2021. Street view of Kensington. Fragmen\" alt=\"LONDON, ENGLAND - 03.05.2021. Street view of Kensington. Fragmen\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-602c962 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"602c962\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7ac31ee elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7ac31ee\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"involveme_embed\" data-project=\"rental-valuation-readiness-quiz\" data-title=\"Rental Valuation Readiness Quiz\"><script src=\"https:\/\/fcs-compliance.involve.me\/embed\"><\/script><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-76bc725 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"76bc725\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3304ffb elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3304ffb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3><b>Possession grounds: what has changed and what it means in practice<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With Section 21 abolished, landlords must rely on specific statutory grounds to recover possession. A number of those grounds have been amended or newly introduced under the Act.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The grounds most relevant to landlords are as follows:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ground 1 (occupation by landlord or family): amended. Cannot be used within the first 12 months of a tenancy.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ground 1A (sale of dwelling house): new. Cannot be used within the first 12 months of a tenancy.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ground 1B (rent-to-buy): new.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ground 2 (mortgage repossession): amended.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ground 4A (student accommodation): new. Notice of reliance must be served by 31 May 2026 for existing relevant tenancies. Possession notices under this ground can then be served between 1 May and 30 July 2026, with at least two months\u2019 notice ending between 1 June and 30 September.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ground 6A (enforcement action): new.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ground 8 (rent arrears): amended.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The 12-month restriction on Grounds 1 and 1A is a significant practical constraint. For landlords who may need to sell or move back in within that window, this needs to be discussed and understood before the tenancy is agreed.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6bfc1fc e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"6bfc1fc\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b0df184 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"b0df184\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-24679c2 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"24679c2\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f737d87 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f737d87\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>\u00a0<\/h3>\n<h3><b>Rent: a new statutory process, with tribunal oversight<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rent increases are limited to once per year and must follow a formal statutory process using a Section 13 notice (Form 4A). Landlords must give at least two months\u2019 written notice before any increase takes effect. Any existing contractual rent review clauses in tenancy agreements will no longer apply from 1 May.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tenants can challenge a proposed increase at the First-tier Tribunal, which will determine the open market rent of a property. Tenants can also challenge the initial rent during the first six months of a tenancy.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Where a tribunal determines the rent, the new figure becomes payable from the start of the new rent period following the determination. It does not apply retrospectively. Landlords should be aware that any increase above what the tribunal sets will not be recoverable for the period before the determination.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The ban on rent bidding adds further weight to accurate pricing from the outset. Properties must be marketed at a fixed asking price, and accepting offers above that figure is prohibited. In a market where competitive upward pressure has historically been a feature, pricing accuracy is now a compliance issue as much as a commercial one.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3b49411 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"3b49411\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-aedc8b0 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"aedc8b0\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8469dcd e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"8469dcd\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-73aca68 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"73aca68\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a8e29e1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a8e29e1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><b>Pets, deposits and the landlord database<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Act implies a clause into every assured tenancy that landlords cannot unreasonably withhold consent to a tenant keeping a pet. Tenants must request permission in writing, and landlords have 28 days to respond. Refusal must be in writing with reasons given, and tenants can challenge the decision in court.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On deposits, the 30-day registration requirement remains, as does the obligation to serve prescribed documents. Late registration is permitted but carries a financial penalty. In the pressure of managing a large portfolio, compliance on this point is worth auditing proactively.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Looking further ahead, all private landlords will be required to register on a new private rented sector (PRS) database, expected towards the end of 2026. A dwelling cannot be marketed for a residential tenancy without an active entry for both the landlord and the property. Courts will be unable to grant possession orders where the landlord has failed to register. The Landlord Ombudsman follows in 2028.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-95a1adc e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"95a1adc\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-421cd5f elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"421cd5f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"498\" src=\"https:\/\/lonres.com\/public\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/PLMU_Autumn_2025_Header-copy.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-10457\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lonres.com\/public\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/PLMU_Autumn_2025_Header-copy.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/lonres.com\/public\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/PLMU_Autumn_2025_Header-copy-300x104.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lonres.com\/public\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/PLMU_Autumn_2025_Header-copy-1024x354.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/lonres.com\/public\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/PLMU_Autumn_2025_Header-copy-768x266.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1440px) 100vw, 1440px\" style=\"width:100%;height:34.58%;max-width:1440px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4d00d8b e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"4d00d8b\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-505cb2e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"505cb2e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3><b>Priority actions for agents in the next six weeks<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Diarise 30 April, 31 May and 31 July as non-negotiable compliance deadlines.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Download the prescribed information sheet and prepare to serve it on all existing tenants with written tenancies by 31 May.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Identify any oral tenancies and prepare written statements of terms to serve by 31 May.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Review any pending possession matters and confirm that notices are served and proceedings issued within the relevant windows.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Check marketing materials and listing descriptions for compatibility with the new rent advertising rules.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Brief landlords on the 12-month restriction on Grounds 1 and 1A before any new tenancy is agreed.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Plan rent increase processes for existing tenancies so that the Section 13 statutory timeline is followed from the outset.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Audit compliance documentation and keep a clear trail.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-39506b9 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"39506b9\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bff9e48 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"bff9e48\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3505dcc elementor-widget-laptop__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3505dcc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3><b>Prepare for Section 13 disputes with the LonRes Rental Checker<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One of the most significant practical consequences of the Act is the increased risk of Section 13 rent disputes. Tenants can challenge any proposed increase at the First-tier Tribunal, and where the tribunal determines the rent, any increase above that figure will not be recoverable for the period before the determination. Getting the rent right, and being able to evidence it, matters more than ever.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The LonRes Rental Checker is built specifically for this. It provides robust, impartial evidence of achieved market rents, which is the standard the tribunal applies, drawn from real letting data contributed by agents across London. Where a dispute does proceed to tribunal, Rental Checker reports can be used to support the rent review and must be reviewed by the panel.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For agents, it also addresses the pricing problem the Act creates at the outset. With rent bidding banned and asking prices fixed, the risk of mispricing is higher than it has ever been. Rental Checker gives agents and their landlord clients the evidence to price accurately from day one.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Access is available to agents who contribute data to LonRes. Reports are generated directly from the Lettings section of your LonRes platform.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0a7c9bd elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"0a7c9bd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"default elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/lonres.com\/public\/services\/rental-checker\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Find out more about the LonRes Rental Checker<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-80ec2d8 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"80ec2d8\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ef5b96b elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"ef5b96b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"528\" height=\"624\" src=\"https:\/\/lonres.com\/public\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Rental-Checker-Page-Image.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-11315\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lonres.com\/public\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Rental-Checker-Page-Image.png 528w, https:\/\/lonres.com\/public\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Rental-Checker-Page-Image-254x300.png 254w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 528px) 100vw, 528px\" style=\"width:100%;height:118.18%;max-width:528px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fa209c5 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"fa209c5\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8239372 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"8239372\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-20cc605 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"20cc605\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Related Content<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-36ada00 elementor-widget elementor-widget-Related Resources\" data-id=\"36ada00\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"Related Resources.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"related-content-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"row\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-lg-4 col-md-6\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"blog-thumb-box\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"thumb-img\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/lonres.com\/public\/lonres-launches-rental-checker\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lonres.com\/public\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/222.jpg\" alt=\"\" title=\"222\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"thumb-desc\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><a href=\"https:\/\/lonres.com\/public\/lonres-launches-rental-checker\/\">LonRes launches Rental Checker<\/a><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"meta-info\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"date\">News<\/span> <span class=\"divider\">|<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"date\">22 Apr 2026<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-lg-4 col-md-6\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"blog-thumb-box\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"thumb-img\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/lonres.com\/public\/property-movers-shakers-march-2026\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lonres.com\/public\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Movers-and-Shakers-meta-image-photoshop-copy-march.png\" alt=\"Movers &amp; Shakers March 2026\" title=\"Movers and Shakers meta-image photoshop copy march\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"thumb-desc\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><a href=\"https:\/\/lonres.com\/public\/property-movers-shakers-march-2026\/\">Property Movers &#038; Shakers March 2026<\/a><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"meta-info\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"date\">Movers &amp; Shakers<\/span> <span class=\"divider\">|<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"date\">08 Apr 2026<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-lg-4 col-md-6\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"blog-thumb-box\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"thumb-img\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/lonres.com\/public\/monthly-briefing-prime-london-market-march-2026\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lonres.com\/public\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/public-site-headline-image.png\" alt=\"Orange brick terraced houses in Mayfair\" title=\"public site headline image\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"thumb-desc\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><a href=\"https:\/\/lonres.com\/public\/monthly-briefing-prime-london-market-march-2026\/\">Monthly Briefing: Prime London Market &#8211; March 2026<\/a><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"meta-info\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"date\">Insights &amp; Data Reports<\/span> <span class=\"divider\">|<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"date\">23 Mar 2026<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Renters\u2019 Rights Act takes effect 1 May 2026. Here\u2019s what London letting agents need to act on now: deadlines, possession grounds, and Section 13 rent evidence.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":11441,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"content-type":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[27],"tags":[232,233,236,234,235],"class_list":["post-11421","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-lonres-news","tag-lettings","tag-lettingsagents","tag-rental-checker","tag-rental-reform-act","tag-renters-reform-bill","entry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lonres.com\/public\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11421","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lonres.com\/public\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lonres.com\/public\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lonres.com\/public\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lonres.com\/public\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11421"}],"version-history":[{"count":29,"href":"https:\/\/lonres.com\/public\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11421\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11474,"href":"https:\/\/lonres.com\/public\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11421\/revisions\/11474"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lonres.com\/public\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11441"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lonres.com\/public\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11421"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lonres.com\/public\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11421"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lonres.com\/public\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11421"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}