Propertymark has released a new compliant tenancy agreement for letting agents ahead of the first phase of the Renters’ Rights Act, warning that firms must update contracts before the new rules take effect on 1 May 2026.
The trade body said the new Assured Periodic Tenancy (APT) agreement has been produced to help agents and landlords prepare for the biggest change to the private rented sector in decades, which will see fixed-term Assured Shorthold Tenancies abolished and replaced with a fully periodic system.
Under the reforms, all new and existing tenancies in England will move to rolling agreements, tenants will be able to leave with two months’ notice, and Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions will be scrapped.
Possession will instead rely on revised Section 8 grounds, with additional rules covering student lets, sales and landlord circumstances.
LEGISLATIVE CHANGES
Propertymark said its new agreement reflects the legislative changes and is designed to ensure members can issue contracts that comply with the law from day one of the new regime.
The organisation is urging agents to review all tenancy documentation urgently, as the changes also introduce tighter rules on rent increases, rent in advance and tenant information requirements.
From May, rent can only be increased once per year, rent bidding will be banned, and landlords or agents must provide written terms where no agreement exists. In addition, tenants must receive the new official information sheet by 31 May 2026 where a written tenancy is already in place.
COMPLIANCE TOOLKIT
Restrictions on discrimination against tenants with children or those receiving benefits will also come into force, alongside limits on taking more than one month’s rent in advance.
Propertymark says that the new APT template forms part of a wider compliance toolkit for members, including guidance, training, fact sheets and FAQs to help agents explain the changes to landlords and tenants.
The agreement is available to ARLA Propertymark members and firms signed up to the organisation’s Company Advantage package, as the sector prepares for the first stage of the Renters’ Rights Act to be implemented this spring.
Propertymark members can log in here to access the APT HERE.
