The Renters’ Rights Act changed private renting in England from 1 May 2026. Section 21 “no-fault” evictions ended, tenancies became periodic, and possession now needs one of the reformed Section 8 grounds.
This free checklist turns the duties that apply to a property into dated tasks, so you can mark where you are on each. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are covered too, each with its own rules.
| Section 21 | No new notices from 1 May 2026 |
|---|---|
| Tenancies | Periodic assured tenancies, with no fixed end date |
| Rent increases | Once a year, using a section 13 notice, in line with market rent |
| Rent in advance | Limited to one month |
| Landlord database | Registration rolling out region by region from 15 December 2026 |
Next step
See how the Section 8 grounds usually work after Section 21 ended, and gather the dated evidence a solicitor would ask for.
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The main tenancy changes in England took effect on 1 May 2026. Other parts, such as the private rented sector database and the landlord ombudsman, are being introduced in stages after that.
No. Section 21 “no-fault” evictions ended in England on 1 May 2026, so no new Section 21 notices can be served (notices served before then have their own transition rules). Ending a tenancy now relies on one of the Section 8 grounds, such as selling the property, moving in, or rent arrears.
Once a year, using a section 13 notice. The tenant can challenge an increase if they think it is above the market rent.
No. It covers England. Wales has the Renting Homes (Wales) Act and Scotland has private residential tenancies, each with their own rules. The checklist shows the rules for each nation.
Education, not advice. Rules change and depend on your circumstances. Check GOV.UK and speak to a qualified adviser before you act.