Renting out your property: guidance for landlords and letting agents

The Renters’ Rights Act will change laws about renting. The new rules will apply on or after 1 May 2026. This guidance will help private rented sector landlords and letting agents prepare. These rules will apply to Private Registered Providers of social housing (PRPs) from 2027

• Renters' Rights Act: an overview for landlords 

  The Renters’ Rights Act will introduce changes to how landlords let out private properties.

• Tenancy agreements overview

  A tenancy agreement is a contract between the landlord and their tenant.

• Tenancy types 

  This guide explains the different tenancy types.

• Rental bidding: a guide for landlords

  This is a guide is for landlords and letting agents on publishing a price when advertising a property to rent, and not accepting bids above this price.

• Rental discrimination: a guide for landlords

  This guide for landlords explains what rental discrimination is.

• If someone who has children wants to rent your property  

  This guide explains how landlords cannot discriminate against a person from renting a property because they have children.

• If someone who receives benefits wants to rent your property  

  This guide explains how landlords cannot discriminate against a person from renting a property because they are on benefits.

• If someone reports you for rental discrimination  

  This guide will explain what happens if a landlord is reported for discriminating against a person who is on benefits or who has children.

• Rent payments and deposits

  This guide explains what rules landlords need to follow when they ask a tenant to pay rent at different stages of the tenancy.

• Fees you can charge as part of a tenancy

  This guide explains what fees landlords can ask for when renting out a property.

• Rent increases

  If a landlord wants to increase the rent on a property, they must follow the rules in this guide.

• If a tenant wants a pet to live with them 

  This guide covers what a landlord needs to do when their tenant asks to keep a pet.

• Dealing with antisocial behaviour  

  This guide explains what a landlord can do when a tenant commits antisocial behaviour.

• Resolving issues with your tenant 

  This guide explains what steps a landlord can take to resolve an issue with their tenant.

• Ending a tenancy

  This guide explains to a landlord what to do if they need their tenant to leave.

• If your tenant wants to leave 

  This guide explains the process on how a landlord can end a tenancy if their tenant wants to leave.

• Evicting tenants overview

  This guide covers the procedures that landlords must follow when they need a tenant to leave their property.

• Giving notice to evict tenants

  This guide explains what landlords need to do when giving their tenant a notice to evict them.

• Standard possession claims   

  This guide covers the process landlords will need to follow to evict their tenant in the county court.

• Giving notice of possession to tenants before 1 May 2026

  This guide explains the process a landlord must take when they served an eviction notice before 1 May 2026.

• Repossessing your privately rented property on or after 1 May 2026

  This guide explains the process a landlord must take when they serve an eviction notice on or after 1 May 2026.

• Possession hearings and orders

  This guide covers what happens at court hearings for possession and the decisions a judge could make.

• If tenants do not follow the possession order   

  This guide covers what the landlord needs to do if a tenant does not leave the property after a court order and they still want to evict them.

• Enforcement measures for landlords

  This guide is designed to help landlords and agents understand what happens if they commit an offence or break the rules.