Renters' Rights Act checklist for landlords

This Renters' Rights Act landlord checklist sets out what you need to do now: catch up on the one-off duties for existing tenancies, change how you advertise and sign up new tenants, use Section 13 and Section 8 correctly, and prepare for the landlord database. Each item says why it matters and links to a full guide. It covers private landlords in England.

Renters' Rights Act: what landlords need to do now

If you only have an hour, do these five things first:

1. Check every tenant on a written tenancy from before 1 May 2026 received the Information Sheet. If not, give it now.
2. Replace any fixed-term tenancy template with one that includes a compliant written statement of terms.
3. Remove price ranges, "offers over", "No DSS" and "no children" from adverts and your agent's scripts.
4. Stop using section 21 notices, Form 3 and Form 4 for private tenancies. Use Form 3A and Form 4A instead.
5. Note the date your region's landlord database window opens.

The rest of this page goes through each stage of a let in order.

1. Existing tenancies: catch-up

• Information Sheet given to every named tenant on a written tenancy from before 1 May 2026, as a printed copy or PDF attachment, never a link. It was due by 31 May 2026; the fine is up to £7,000. See the Information Sheet.
• Written terms given for any wholly verbal tenancy from before 1 May 2026 (also due by 31 May 2026).
• Old notices checked: a section 21 notice served before 1 May 2026 is unusable unless the claim was started by 31 July 2026.
• Start dates recorded: an existing tenancy still counts from its original start date, which matters for Grounds 1 and 1A.
• Rent review clauses ignored from now on: only Section 13 works.
• Ground 4A students: the written statement was given by 31 May 2026, or the ground can't be used.
• Deposits protected and prescribed information given.

More detail: existing tenancies under the Act.

2. Before advertising and choosing a tenant

Before you advertise

• EPC in date and rated E or above, unless you have a registered exemption. Give it to applicants by the first written particulars or viewing.
• Licence checked: does the property need an HMO, additional or selective licence? Letting without one risks up to £40,000 and a rent repayment order. See the HMO licence.
• Gas safety record and EICR in date, ready to give the tenant before they move in.
• Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms fitted where required.
• Tenancy template updated: periodic, no fixed term, no rent review clause, no rent in advance beyond the first month.

Advertising and choosing a tenant

• One fixed rent in every written advert, post, email and message. No ranges, no "offers over". Fine up to £7,000. See the rental bidding ban.
• No offers above the advertised rent accepted, even if volunteered.
• No blanket bans on families or benefit claimants; affordability checks are fine.
• Right to rent checks on every adult who will live there; time-limited rights checked no earlier than 28 days before the tenancy is agreed.
• Holding deposit no more than one week's rent, and no rent before the tenancy is agreed.

3. Signing up and move-in

• Written statement of terms given to every tenant before the tenancy is agreed. It must cover the prescribed items, including the pet statement and the tenant's notice period. See the written statement of terms.
• Prior notice of any ground you may need later, such as Ground 5C for a tied let, included in the statement.
• Rent before the start date limited to the first month's rent (or 28 days' rent if weekly).
• Deposit no more than 5 weeks' rent (6 weeks if annual rent is £50,000 or more), protected with prescribed information given within 30 days.
• Gas safety record and EICR copies given before the tenant moves in.
• Alarms tested on the day the tenancy starts.

4. During the tenancy

• Rent increases only by a Section 13 notice on Form 4A: at most once a year, at least 2 months' notice, starting on the first day of a rent period. Even an agreed increase needs the notice.
• Pet requests answered in writing within 28 days, with reasons for any refusal.
• Repairs and hazards logged and dealt with. Councils can fine up to £7,000 for a Category 1 hazard.
• Gas safety renewed every 12 months, with a copy to the tenant within 28 days of the check.
• EICR renewed at least every 5 years, with a copy to the tenant within 28 days.
• Council requests answered on time. Ignoring an information notice is an offence.

5. Ending a tenancy

• Tenant leaving: a written notice of at least 2 months (or any shorter period you agreed in writing), ending on a rent day or the day before, ends the tenancy. You can't require more than 2 months. Refund rent paid for days after the end date.
• You want possession: serve a Section 8 notice on Form 3A with the correct ground and notice period. A defective notice can itself cost £7,000.
• Selling or moving in: check the 12-month protected period, and don't re-let or market within the restricted period after using Ground 1 or 1A.
• Never change the locks or remove a tenant without a court order carried out by enforcement officers. Unlawful eviction carries up to £40,000 or prosecution.

6. Coming up: preparing for 2026 to 2035

When	What to prepare
From 15 December 2026	Register on the landlord database in your region's 3-month window; the Housing Hub gives the fee as £65 per property per year, not yet confirmed in the regulations. See the landlord database
18 December 2026	Awaab's Law consultation closes; start dates of 2027 to 2029 are being considered
2028 (expected)	Join the landlord ombudsman once membership becomes mandatory; no fee has been set yet
1 October 2030 (planned)	EPC band C, a separate energy policy that is not yet law
2035 (expected)	Decent Homes Standard for private rented homes

We'll update this checklist as each date is confirmed.

What to do next

Our compliance reminders track gas safety, EICR, EPC, deposit, licence and Information Sheet dates for each property, with an email before anything is due. For the dates behind this checklist, see the Renters' Rights Act timeline, or start from the Renters' Rights Act hub.