Reviewed for the Renters' Rights Act · Updated 20 July 2026
How the Renters' Rights Act changed tenancy agreements
The Renters' Rights Act 2025 received Royal Assent on 27 October 2025 and its main tenancy reforms commenced on 1 May 2026. This guide covers what it means for the document at the centre of every letting: the tenancy agreement.
Clause-by-clause impact
| Clause in old agreements | Position now |
|---|---|
| "Assured shorthold tenancy for a fixed term of 12 months" | Invalid — ASTs and fixed terms abolished; tenancy is periodic from day one |
| Section 21 / two months' landlord notice | Abolished — possession only via Section 8 grounds |
| "No pets" | Unenforceable as a blanket ban — tenants may request and refusal must be reasonable |
| Quarterly or annual rent in advance | Rent periods capped at one month |
| Tenant notice of one month | Two months' notice, from a rent day |
New obligations that sit alongside the agreement
- Written tenancy information — landlords must give tenants a written statement of terms before the agreement is signed.
- The official information sheet — for tenancies that converted on 1 May 2026, landlords had to provide the government information sheet, with penalties up to £7,000 per tenancy for failure.
- PRS database and ombudsman — being phased in during 2026; expect registration duties.
Practical takeaway: reissuing a compliant agreement at your next tenancy change is the cleanest way to make your paperwork match the law your tenancy is actually governed by.
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