Landlords have just weeks to prepare for sweeping reforms to the private rented sector with further provisions of the Renters’ Rights Act due to take effect on 1 May 2026.
Property experts are warning that those who fail to act now could face higher void periods, legal disputes and potential exit from the market once the new regime is in place.
At the centre of the reforms is the effective overhaul of the traditional Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST) model.
The long-standing assumption that landlords can rely on fixed terms ending to regain control of a property is being replaced with a more compliance-led system, where possession depends on meeting stricter statutory grounds and following precise legal processes.
RENTING RESET
That shift places far greater emphasis on paperwork, evidence and procedural accuracy. Any gaps in documentation or failure to meet legal requirements could significantly restrict a landlord’s options.
Matt Gerrish (main picture, inset), Managing Director of Sold.co.uk, says: “This isn’t a tweak – it’s a reset of how renting works. Landlords who wait until May will already be behind.”
And he urges landlords to treat the coming months as a portfolio audit window rather than a holding pattern.
REVIEW TENANCIES
He adds: “Every landlord should be reviewing their tenancies now – not in April. Check tenancy agreements, EPC ratings, safety certificates and rent review clauses. If you don’t know exactly what tenancy you’re operating under, that’s a risk.”
Gerrish also warns that tenant retention will become increasingly important under the new system.
“Void periods will hurt more under this system. That makes good tenants more valuable than ever.”
He says: “Keeping a reliable tenant for longer will often be more profitable than chasing higher rents and facing longer gaps.
“But May 1 is the line in the sand. Landlords who prepare now can still operate successfully. Those who ignore the changes risk being caught out – and in this market, mistakes are expensive.”
