24 Guides Later: Welcome to the “Simple” New Rental System
The government has dropped 24 new guides on the Renters Rights Act - because, apparently, one just won’t do. With major changes landing in 2026, landlords now face a system so “simple” it needs a small library to explain it. Strap in… this is just phase one...
The government has kindly released a modest 24 guides explaining various corners of the Renters Rights Act. Because nothing says “a simpler tenancy system” like needing two dozen manuals to understand it.
These guides were released hot on the heels of the announcement that phase one of the Act goes live on May 1st, 2026. From that date, every existing and future private tenancy in England will shuffle into the brave new system.
Assured shorthold tenancies? They’ll politely convert themselves into Assured Periodic Tenancies.
Any new tenancy signed from May 1st onward will follow the new rules; including limits on rent in advance, updated processes for rent increases, and of course, the increasingly inevitable discussion about pets.
Section 21 notices served before May 1st 2026 (4:00pm on 30th April 2026 to be exact) will still be honoured, either until their six-month lifespan runs out or until the tenant decides to leave of their own accord (a concept we can all agree is refreshingly theoretical).
As the Act lays out, every new tenancy must come with a written agreement containing government-specified information, which will be set out in secondary legislation, because who doesn’t look forward to a good sequel?
Current written agreements won’t need reissuing. Landlords simply have to provide their tenants with a government-written information sheet explaining how the reforms affect the tenancy. Easy. Straightforward. Absolutely nothing to misplace.
If, however, an existing tenancy doesn’t have a written agreement - perhaps because it was agreed verbally back in the halcyon days when paperwork felt optional - a new written document will be required to cover all the stipulated information.
And if the prospect of 24 guides for phase one feels thorough, rest assured: phase two (arriving in the back half of next year) will bring even more detail, including the mandatory Landlord Ombudsman scheme and the new national rental database. Because when it comes to modern renting, clarity is important - so long as you don’t mind a small avalanche of administrative guidance.
So, if you fancy some light reading, fill your boots...
If not, scroll to the bottom and click on the LetSimple banner to see how we can do all this on your behalf!
1: Overview for landlords: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/renting-out-your-property-guidance-for-landlords-and-letting-agents/renters-rights-act-an-overview-for-landlords
2: Tenancy agreements overview: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/renting-out-your-property-guidance-for-landlords-and-letting-agents/tenancy-agreements-overview
3: Tenancy types: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/renting-out-your-property-guidance-for-landlords-and-letting-agents/tenancy-types
4: Rental bidding: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/renting-out-your-property-guidance-for-landlords-and-letting-agents/rental-bidding-a-guide-for-landlords
5: Rental discrimination: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/renting-out-your-property-guidance-for-landlords-and-letting-agents/rental-discrimination-a-guide-for-landlords
6: If someone who has children wants to rent your property: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/renting-out-your-property-guidance-for-landlords-and-letting-agents/rental-discrimination-a-guide-for-landlords
7: If someone who receives benefits wants to rent your property: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/renting-out-your-property-guidance-for-landlords-and-letting-agents/if-someone-who-receives-benefits-wants-to-rent-your-property
8: If someone reports you for rental discrimination: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/renting-out-your-property-guidance-for-landlords-and-letting-agents/if-someone-reports-you-for-rental-discrimination
9: Rent payments and deposits: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/renting-out-your-property-guidance-for-landlords-and-letting-agents/rent-payments-and-deposits
10: Fees you can charge as part of a tenancy: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/renting-out-your-property-guidance-for-landlords-and-letting-agents/fees-you-can-charge-as-part-of-a-tenancy
11: Rent increases: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/renting-out-your-property-guidance-for-landlords-and-letting-agents/rent-increases
12: If a tenant wants to keep a pet: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/renting-out-your-property-guidance-for-landlords-and-letting-agents/if-a-tenant-wants-a-pet-to-live-with-them
13: Dealing with anti-social behaviour: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/renting-out-your-property-guidance-for-landlords-and-letting-agents/dealing-with-antisocial-behaviour
14: Resolving issues with your tenant: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/renting-out-your-property-guidance-for-landlords-and-letting-agents/resolving-issues-with-your-tenant
15: Ending a tenancy: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/renting-out-your-property-guidance-for-landlords-and-letting-agents/ending-a-tenancy
16: If your tenant wants to leave: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/renting-out-your-property-guidance-for-landlords-and-letting-agents/if-your-tenant-wants-to-leave
17: Evicting tenants overview: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/renting-out-your-property-guidance-for-landlords-and-letting-agents/evicting-tenants-overview
18: Giving notice to evict tenants: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/renting-out-your-property-guidance-for-landlords-and-letting-agents/giving-notice-to-evict-tenants
19: Standard possession claims: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/renting-out-your-property-guidance-for-landlords-and-letting-agents/standard-possession-claims
20: Giving notice before May 1 2026: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/renting-out-your-property-guidance-for-landlords-and-letting-agents/giving-notice-of-possession-to-tenants-before-1-may-2026
21: Repossessing your privately rented property after May 1 2026: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/renting-out-your-property-guidance-for-landlords-and-letting-agents/repossessing-your-privately-rented-property-on-or-after-1-may-2026
22: Possession hearings and orders: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/renting-out-your-property-guidance-for-landlords-and-letting-agents/possession-hearings-and-orders
23: If tenants do not follow the possession order: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/renting-out-your-property-guidance-for-landlords-and-letting-agents/if-tenants-do-not-follow-the-possession-order
24: Enforcement measures for landlords: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/renting-out-your-property-guidance-for-landlords-and-letting-agents/enforcement-measures-for-landlords
