Renters' Rights Act Timeline for Landlords
The main reforms of the Renters' Rights Act 2025 took effect in England on 1 May 2026. Section 21 has gone, every assured shorthold tenancy is now an assured periodic tenancy, and rent increases follow the Section 13 process. The Section 21 transition ended on 31 July 2026.
What is left to come is mostly registration and standards: the Private Rented Sector Database, the Landlord Ombudsman, Awaab's Law for private rentals and higher energy and condition standards. Dates marked as expected or planned have not been fixed in law yet, and we update this page when they are.
General information for landlords in England. Not legal advice.
Last checked 17 September 2026
Renters' Rights Act dates
- 11 Sep 2024: Renters' Rights Bill introduced (Completed)
The Bill was introduced to the House of Commons. Source: GOV.UK - 27 Oct 2025: Royal Assent (Completed)
The Bill became law as the Renters' Rights Act 2025. Source: GOV.UK - 27 Dec 2025: Council investigatory powers begin (Completed)
Local councils gained stronger powers to inspect properties, demand documents and use third-party data when enforcing housing law. Source: The Independent Landlord - Mar 2026: Government information sheet published (Completed)
The Government published the information sheet landlords had to give tenants in existing tenancies. Source: The Independent Landlord - 30 Apr 2026: Last day to serve a Section 21 notice (Completed)
No Section 21 notice can be served on or after 1 May 2026. Source: RICS - 1 May 2026: Main reforms take effect (In force)
Assured shorthold tenancies became assured periodic tenancies, and fixed terms can no longer be created. Section 21 is abolished, so landlords seek possession with a Section 8 notice on a statutory ground. Rent can rise once a year using a Section 13 notice, rent in advance is capped at one month, rental bidding is banned, tenants can ask to keep a pet, and landlords cannot refuse tenants because they have children or receive benefits. Source: GOV.UK - 31 May 2026: Information sheet deadline (Completed)
The deadline for landlords to give the information sheet to tenants in existing written tenancies. Source: The Independent Landlord - 31 Jul 2026: Last day to start court action on a Section 21 notice (Completed)
Possession claims relying on a Section 21 notice served before 1 May 2026 had to be issued by this date, or within the notice's own validity period if that ended sooner. Source: RICS - Late 2026 onwards: Private Rented Sector Database (Upcoming)
Regional rollout of the database where landlords will have to register themselves and their properties. Dates are indicative until the Government confirms them. Source: The Independent Landlord - 2027 (expected): Awaab's Law extended to private rentals (Expected)
Time limits for landlords to investigate and fix hazards such as damp and mould are expected to apply to private rented homes. Not yet confirmed. Source: Burges Salmon - 2028 (expected): Private Rented Sector Landlord Ombudsman (Expected)
A single ombudsman that all private landlords must join, so tenants can escalate complaints. Not expected to open before 2028. Source: RICS - 1 Oct 2030 (planned): Minimum EPC rating C for private rentals (Expected)
The Government's plan requires new and existing private rented homes to reach EPC band C. Source: Burges Salmon - 2035 (planned): Decent Homes Standard for private rentals (Expected)
A legal minimum standard for the condition of rented homes is due to apply to private and social rented homes. Source: GOV.UK