By The countdown is on! The 1st May Renters’ Rights Act is fast approaching. Now is the time to get your property business in order.
With the 1 May 2026 Renters’ Rights Act (RRA) deadline fast approaching for the first stage implementation, landlords should now be in the final stages of getting their property business in order to ensure compliance and avoid fines. Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock, preparation for the should be well underway; however, we understand that with so many changes coming in at once, getting your Buy-to-Let affairs in order can feel overwhelming.
To help landlords prioritise what needs to be done over the next month, we have recapped what Gary Scott of SC&W shared in his latest talk at the National Landlord Investment Show in London.
With 23 years of property litigation experience, Gary addressed a packed crowd of proactive landlords who diligently recorded the session and scribbled notes to form a concrete, step-by-step plan.
Want to get advice in person from Renters’ Rights Act experts before 1st May? Sign up for your free ticket for the National Landlord Investment Show in Southampton on 14th April 2026 and Kent on 29th May 2026. It will be your last chance to attend the show and have time to organise your Buy-to-Let portfolio before the 1 May deadline.Follow the link to register for your free ticket for the National Landlord Investment Show Southampton.
In addition, don’t miss out on being part of the LIS Community Hub for expert insights and on-demand recordings of the Renters’ Rights Act. If you’ve already joined, then don’t worry, you’re already connected.
This free-to-join community platform is designed specifically for landlords, new and existing property investors and property developers. Think of it as your digital toolkit for staying compliant, profitable, and connected. Join for free today.
If you were unable to attend or simply could not get into the seminar, here are Gary’s top priorities for landlords who need to get their Buy-to-Let business models organised in just a few weeks.
RRA Landlord to-do List
1. Organise Your Tenancies
For landlords with tenants in place, the most immediate priority before the 1 May deadline involves the transition from fixed-term tenancies to a periodic system.
Under the new rules, the traditional Section 21 “no-fault” eviction is completely repealed, meaning landlords must now provide specific grounds for possession, such as the new legal ground for an intention to sell.
After the 1 May deadline, landlords will need to use a Section 8 notice to get your property for issues like antisocial behaviour or rent arrears. Section 8 will also be applicable for seeking possession for other valid reasons, including that you wish to sell or move into the property.
For more information, check out the Renters’ Rights Act Guide on the Government’s website.
To-do list:
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To stay compliant, landlords must provide every tenant with a government-mandated information sheet by 31 May.
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It is highly recommended to print this out and obtain a signed receipt or record of delivery, as local authorities are expected to be rigorous with enforcement.
For those currently operating under verbal agreements, this is the final window to provide a written statement of terms; failure to do so could result in significant fines.
2. Changes to Advertising New Tenancies
Landlords who are planning to advertise their rental property after 1 May, will also need to pay close attention to advertising practices. From 1 May, it will be an offence to accept more than one month’s rent in advance, a move that fundamentally changes how landlords handle high-risk tenancies. Additional information from the Government on this topic can be found here.
Additionally, the RRA introduces a total ban on bidding wars, making it a criminal offence to accept a rent amount higher than the originally advertised amount.
While landlords can still make a commercial decision to withdraw an ad and relist it at a higher price if interest is high, they cannot engage in an auction-style bidding process.
What’s more, new advertisements must be scrubbed of any discriminatory language regarding children, pets or those receiving benefits, as these protections are now legally enshrined.
If you’re already working with a property management service and do not have direct control over your ads, now is a good time to reach out to them to find out how they plan to manage your portfolio for future listings under the RRA.
3. Rent Increase Process
As the 1 May cut-off approaches, landlords should also be mindful of the changes to rent increases.
Rent increases will now require a two-month notice period instead of one, and tenants have the right to challenge these through a tribunal, a process that could potentially freeze rent levels for several months.
To try to avoid issues, remember that moving forward, rents can only be:
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Increased once every 12 months (max)
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Made with at least two months’ notice
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Made formally through Section 13 only
4. Keep a Detailed Paper Trail
Whether you have a small or large property portfolio, landlords must move forward with a business-like approach to their rental properties and should, therefore, keep a clear record of their due diligence as a landlord.
Councils will have more powers and incentives to investigate renters’ rights within the private sector, so you must be prepared to prove your compliance with detailed (and organised) paperwork.
Before the 1 May deadline, landlords should assess each property they own to ensure they have updated safety certificates, EPCs, deposit documentation, relevant licences, and right-to-rent checks in order.
5. Seek Expert Advice
The steps included in this article are from Gary Scott’s talk at the National Landlord Investment Show (NLIS). If you haven’t attended before, the NLIS is free and allows landlords to connect with industry experts to seek advice on their property businesses.
Beyond the show, the LIS Community Hub is an online hub and mobile app where landlords can access dedicated news, reports, information, webinars, show tickets, and speak with property experts about their portfolio. Again, this is a free resource for landlords navigating the Renters’ Rights Act.
If you’re feeling alone, remember you don’t have to go about it solo. There are plenty of experts who can help you to ensure you are compliant; however, the time on the countdown clock is ticking!
Future RRA Considerations
The Renters’ Rights Act is the biggest overhaul of the Buy-to-Let sector in 30 years and, as such, additional deadlines for changes are yet to be officially confirmed.
While certain elements, such as the new disrepair acts and the mandatory ombudsman, are expected to be introduced later in 2026 or 2027, the immediate focus for landlords must remain on the 1 May transition.
In the meantime, with only one month to go, taking the time now to review every existing agreement and understand the specific information tenants are receiving from the government is the only way to ensure a property business remains secure in this new legislative landscape.
Note: This article is designed to help you get started with the Renter’s Rights Act. For specific compliance questions, please consult the official government links provided or speak with an independent advisor.
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