Plain-English guidance for England landlords on the Renters' Rights Act 2025.
102 guides on the Renters' Rights Act 2025, updated for the law in force in 2026
A dated Renters' Rights Act landlord action plan for England: tenancy agreements, Section 8, Section 13 rent rises, pets and deposits, post-1 May 2026.
24 Aug 2026 · 13 min readThe minimum EPC rating to rent in England is E under MEES. Here is what that means in 2026, the exemptions, penalties, and the rising EPC C target ahead.
23 Aug 2026 · 14 min readWhat is an HMO in England? The statutory definition, the standard test, the self-contained flat test and the converted building test, explained for landlords.
22 Aug 2026 · 14 min readWhat is a tenancy guarantor in England? A plain-English guide to the definition, role and exactly what liability a guarantor takes on under a periodic tenancy.
21 Aug 2026 · 12 min readWhat is a periodic tenancy? A clear England landlord guide to why every assured tenancy is now periodic under the Renters' Rights Act 2025.
19 Aug 2026 · 14 min readDeposit protection schemes compared for England landlords: DPS, TDS and mydeposits side by side on cost, custodial vs insured cover and disputes.
18 Aug 2026 · 13 min readTenant referencing explained for England landlords: the checks it covers, Right to Rent, affordability, consent and why it matters more after the RRA 2025.
17 Aug 2026 · 14 min readHow a tenant credit check works in England, what it reveals about CCJs and bankruptcies, and how to run one lawfully with consent in 2026.
16 Aug 2026 · 14 min readWorried 'is my deposit protected'? Learn England's three deposit schemes, how to check your deposit, and what to do if a landlord never protected it.
15 Aug 2026 · 13 min readSurrender vs Section 8 in England 2026: compare a mutual deed of surrender against a grounds-based Section 8 notice to pick the right, lawful exit.
14 Aug 2026 · 14 min readLimited company buy-to-let in England for 2026: corporation tax, mortgage interest relief and dividend tax weighed against personal ownership, with a worked
13 Aug 2026 · 14 min readWhere selective licensing areas in England apply in 2026, how schemes are designated and renewed, what a licence costs, and the penalties for letting
12 Aug 2026 · 15 min readSection 8 vs Section 21 in England: Section 21 is abolished and Section 8 is now the only route to possession. Here is exactly what changed under the RRA 2025.
11 Aug 2026 · 13 min readWhat a valid Section 8 notice template must contain in 2026, the grounds, notice periods and wording mistakes that get a notice thrown out.
10 Aug 2026 · 15 min readWhat a Section 8 notice is, the grounds and notice periods, and how England landlords regain possession in 2026 now that Section 21 is abolished.
9 Aug 2026 · 15 min readHow eviction software for landlords now builds and tracks grounds-based Section 8 notices in England after the Renters' Rights Act 2025 abolished Section 21.
8 Aug 2026 · 13 min read£415 to issue a possession claim — then bailiff fees, solicitor costs and the notice period by ground. Every line of an England possession claim, itemised.
7 Aug 2026 · 13 min readHow Section 24 mortgage interest tax relief replaced the deduction with a 20% credit, what it costs higher-rate England landlords, and how to work out your
6 Aug 2026 · 13 min readSection 21 is abolished. Learn how to generate a compliant Section 8 notice online on the correct GOV.UK prescribed form, without solicitor fees.
5 Aug 2026 · 14 min readLooking for a section 21 notice template in 2026? It no longer exists. Here is the valid possession route and template England landlords must use instead.
4 Aug 2026 · 13 min readSection 21 is abolished. Here is exactly what England landlords must do instead from May 2026 to regain possession lawfully under the Renters' Rights Act.
3 Aug 2026 · 14 min readHow a Section 13 rent increase works in England in 2026: the prescribed GOV.UK form, the once-a-year limit, notice periods and tribunal challenges explained.
2 Aug 2026 · 15 min readWhat a compliant Section 13 rent increase notice must include, aligned to the GOV.UK prescribed form and the 2026 Renters' Rights Act rules.
1 Aug 2026 · 11 min readA step-by-step Renters' Rights Act compliance checklist for England landlords: tenancies, deposits, rent increases, possession, pets and certificates.
31 Jul 2026 · 16 min readHow a rent repayment order in England works, who can apply, and why a single offence can now cost a landlord up to 24 months' rent under the RRA 2025.
30 Jul 2026 · 14 min readRent increase letter vs Section 13 notice: what an informal letter can still do, and why every rent increase in England now needs the prescribed GOV.UK form.
29 Jul 2026 · 15 min readA rent increase checklist for England landlords: the Section 13 steps, timing and prescribed-form rules that make your 2026 rent rise legally watertight.
28 Jul 2026 · 12 min readWhat a property inventory is, why it protects England landlords in deposit disputes, and how to build one that stands up under the 2026 rules.
27 Jul 2026 · 14 min readLegally one duty with two names: 24 hours' written notice at a reasonable time. Which wording to use for inspections, repairs, gas checks and viewings.
26 Jul 2026 · 14 min readA 2026 London tenancy agreement template for periodic assured tenancies, reflecting borough licensing references and the Renters' Rights Act.
25 Jul 2026 · 11 min readLetting agent vs self-managing in England: a 2026 cost, control and risk comparison to help new landlords decide how to manage their let.
24 Jul 2026 · 11 min readLandlord right of entry in England explained for 2026: the 24-hour written notice rule, what counts as a valid reason, emergency exceptions and tenant rights.
23 Jul 2026 · 13 min readA landlord compliance checklist 2026 for England: audit deposits, certificates, licensing and Section 8/13 notices to catch fines before the council does.
22 Jul 2026 · 15 min readThe landlord guide London 2026 needs: borough licensing, Article 4, Section 13 rent rules and post-Renters' Rights Act duties across all 32 boroughs.
21 Jul 2026 · 18 min readA definitive breakdown of landlord fines England 2026, deposits, licensing, gas, EPC and Renters' Rights Act breaches, with amounts and how to avoid them.
20 Jul 2026 · 16 min readEvery landlord allowable expense you can deduct against rental income in 2025/26, repairs, fees, insurance, mileage and more, with a worked example.
19 Jul 2026 · 13 min readIs Section 21 still valid in England in 2026? The honest answer after the Renters' Rights Act, why no-fault eviction ended, and exactly what replaced it.
18 Jul 2026 · 14 min readWhy an invalid Section 13 notice voids your rent rise in England in 2026, the errors that trigger it, and why the tribunal can never raise rent above your
17 Jul 2026 · 14 min readInventory clerk vs DIY: compare cost, credibility and deposit-dispute strength to decide how England landlords should document a let in 2026.
16 Jul 2026 · 13 min readLearn how to write a 24-hour notice of entry letter for an England rental: the exact wording, date, time, reason and tenant rights to include in 2026.
15 Jul 2026 · 11 min readHow to word a pet clause in a tenancy agreement after the RRA: a lawful England template, the 28-day rule, and the insurance ban explained for 2026.
14 Jul 2026 · 12 min readLearn how to refuse a pet request in writing lawfully in England: valid reasons, the 28-day deadline, a sample letter and the mistakes that void your refusal.
13 Jul 2026 · 15 min readHow to reference a tenant in England step by step in 2026: ID, Right to Rent, credit checks, affordability, references, guarantors and a fair decision.
12 Jul 2026 · 15 min readPractical, RRA-compliant tactics to minimise void periods between tenancies in England and cut the days your rental sits empty and earning nothing.
11 Jul 2026 · 14 min readLearn how to get your deposit back at the end of a tenancy in England in 2026: deadlines, the check-out process, evidence and how to dispute unfair deductions.
9 Jul 2026 · 13 min readHow to end a tenancy with tenant notice in England in 2026: give two months' written notice on a periodic assured tenancy, the rules and common mistakes.
8 Jul 2026 · 12 min readHow to dispute deposit deductions for free through your England deposit scheme's adjudication service, with the evidence you need to win and deadlines to hit.
7 Jul 2026 · 13 min readHow to become a landlord in England in 2026: a step-by-step guide to legal, safety, deposit and tax duties under the Renters' Rights Act.
6 Jul 2026 · 16 min readHow do tenancies end in England 2026? Every legal route to ending an assured periodic tenancy now that Section 21 and fixed terms are gone under the RRA.
5 Jul 2026 · 13 min readAt least 24 hours' written notice, at a reasonable time — but notice isn't consent. The emergency exception, and what to do when the tenant says no.
4 Jul 2026 · 13 min readProfessional inventories run £75–£250, check-out on top — £220–£350 all-in for a 2–3 bed. Clerk fees by property size, and a DIY method that holds up.
3 Jul 2026 · 11 min readHow much can a landlord increase rent in England in 2026? The Section 13 rules, the once-a-year limit, a free calculator and why the tribunal can't raise
2 Jul 2026 · 14 min readSince 1 May 2026, at most one month of rent in advance — and only once the agreement is signed. What you can still take pre-tenancy, and the penalties.
1 Jul 2026 · 13 min readHow much deposit a landlord can charge in England: the 5-week and 6-week caps under the Tenant Fees Act, with a worked example and the rules for 2026.
30 Jun 2026 · 12 min readHolding deposit explained for England landlords: the one-week cap, the 15-day deadline, when you must refund it and when you can keep it under the Tenant
29 Jun 2026 · 13 min readWhat a lawful holding deposit receipt template must include in England under the Tenant Fees Act 2019, plus a ready-to-use example and the refund rules.
28 Jun 2026 · 14 min readOne week's rent is (monthly rent × 12) ÷ 52, rounded down — not rent ÷ 4. On £1,000 pcm that's £230.76; take £250 and the excess is a prohibited payment.
27 Jun 2026 · 13 min readHMO licensing England explained for 2026: when you need a licence, the three scheme types, costs, conditions and the fines for getting it wrong.
26 Jun 2026 · 14 min readA guarantor is uncapped but unpredictable; RGI is a fixed cost that pays from 1–2 months' arrears, up to a ceiling. Costs, triggers, when to use both.
25 Jun 2026 · 13 min readGuarantor service vs personal guarantor compared for England landlords: cost, enforceability, exclusions and risk under the Renters' Rights Act 2025.
25 Jun 2026 · 14 min readThe full HMO licence documents checklist for England landlords: gas, electrical, EPC, floor plans, insurance and the proofs councils demand before you apply.
25 Jun 2026 · 13 min readThe fee is £500–£1,500 for five years, set per council — but that's not the bill. EICR, gas, fire safety works and renewals, added up in a worked example.
25 Jun 2026 · 13 min readCheck HMO licensing by council in 2026: mandatory, additional and selective thresholds, how they differ locally, and how to find out if you need a licence.
25 Jun 2026 · 14 min readThe Renters' Rights Act 2025 brings a rental bidding ban to England. Can you accept higher offers? What you must advertise, what is banned and the penalties.
25 Jun 2026 · 14 min readAre free tenancy agreement templates legal in England? What the Renters' Rights Act changed and what a compliant 2026 agreement must contain.
24 Jun 2026 · 12 min readA free, RRA-compliant guarantor agreement template England landlords can adapt, plus the clauses a deed of guarantee must include to be enforceable.
24 Jun 2026 · 15 min readHow to give a tenant the gas safety certificate (CP12) in England: the 28-day rule, new-tenancy timing, record-keeping and the penalties for getting it wrong.
24 Jun 2026 · 13 min readThe Renters' Rights Act renting discrimination ban: 'No DSS' and 'no children' rules for England landlords, what's banned and what referencing stays legal.
24 Jun 2026 · 13 min readWhat the Decent Homes Standard for private rented homes means in England: the five 'decent' criteria, how it links to HHSRS, Awaab's Law and EPC, plus timing.
23 Jun 2026 · 18 min readWhat a Tenant Fees Act compliant holding deposit agreement must include in England, with the one-week cap, refund rules and clause-by-clause guidance.
23 Jun 2026 · 15 min readA free landlord compliance checklist template for England covering every certificate, deposit and safety duty you must meet in 2026.
23 Jun 2026 · 15 min readIs a free periodic tenancy agreement template still safe to use in England in 2026? The legal risks under the Renters' Rights Act and how to find a compliant
23 Jun 2026 · 14 min readA free property inventory template for England landlords, covering every room and condition field you need to protect a tenancy deposit in 2026.
23 Jun 2026 · 11 min readHow to work out a fair new rent and the earliest lawful Section 13 effective date for your England tenancy in 2026.
23 Jun 2026 · 14 min readA free landlord mortgage interest worksheet to track finance costs for Section 24 and claim the 20% tax credit correctly on your England rental return.
22 Jun 2026 · 14 min readA printable first time landlord checklist for England 2026: the legal, safety and admin steps to complete before your first tenant moves in.
22 Jun 2026 · 17 min readFixed term vs periodic tenancy in England 2026: why the Renters' Rights Act abolished fixed terms, what changed for landlords, and exactly what to update now.
22 Jun 2026 · 14 min readWhat a RRA 2025-compliant tenancy agreement must include in England in 2026, with every clause a rolling periodic let now needs and the ones to remove.
22 Jun 2026 · 13 min readAn RRA 2025-updated landlord glossary: every key tenancy term defined for England landlords, with an old-vs-new table to catch outdated jargon.
22 Jun 2026 · 14 min readThe Private Rented Sector Database explained for England landlords: what you must register, how it links to marketing and possession, fees and penalties.
22 Jun 2026 · 15 min readA deed of surrender template England landlords can trust in 2026: the essential clauses, a worked example, and how to end a periodic tenancy cleanly.
21 Jun 2026 · 14 min readA ready-to-use deposit return letter template for England landlords, with the figures, deductions and deadlines you must include in 2026.
21 Jun 2026 · 15 min readWondering 'do I need a guarantor for tenancy' decisions? Learn when an England landlord should ask for one in 2026, the factors that justify it and the limits.
21 Jun 2026 · 14 min readDo landlords need an inventory to protect a tenancy deposit in England? No law forces one, but without it you cannot win a deposit dispute in 2026.
21 Jun 2026 · 12 min readEPC rules for landlords in England in 2026: when you need a certificate, the minimum rating, penalties, exemptions and what's changing under MEES.
21 Jun 2026 · 15 min readThe Private Rented Sector Ombudsman: who must join, when it launches, how complaints work, and the penalties England landlords face for not joining.
21 Jun 2026 · 13 min readAwaab's Law for landlords explained: the repair timescales for damp, mould and dangerous hazards coming to England's private rented sector under the RRA 2025.
20 Jun 2026 · 14 min readComparing Section 8 notice software for England landlords in 2026: what to look for in a guided notice builder, the grounds it must cover, and the errors it
20 Jun 2026 · 14 min readWhat the best Section 8 notice template must contain in 2026, now that Section 21 templates are useless under the Renters' Rights Act 2025.
20 Jun 2026 · 13 min readCan a landlord say no pets in the UK? Not by blanket ban. The Renters' Rights Act gives tenants a right to request a pet from 1 May 2026, here's the law.
20 Jun 2026 · 15 min readCustodial vs insured deposit scheme compared for England landlords: how each works, the cost and cash-flow trade-offs, the rules, and which to choose.
20 Jun 2026 · 13 min readA practical landlord pet policy checklist for England in 2026: handle pet requests lawfully under the Renters' Rights Act, from acknowledgement to written
19 Jun 2026 · 15 min readThe assured shorthold tenancy meaning, why ASTs were abolished by the Renters' Rights Act 2025, and what replaced them for England landlords in 2026.
19 Jun 2026 · 14 min readA UK landlord terms glossary for England, updated for the Renters' Rights Act 2025: every key tenancy definition in plain English, with GOV.UK sources.
19 Jun 2026 · 17 min readWe compare free and paid options for the best holding deposit template UK landlords can use in England, and explain what makes one Tenant Fees Act compliant.
19 Jun 2026 · 11 min readA 2026 buyer's guide to the best landlord inspection app for England rentals: notices, checklists, photos, audit trails and RRA-compliant access.
19 Jun 2026 · 14 min readThe Renters' Rights Act commencement dates explained provision by provision: what is law now, what is phasing in, and how England landlords should plan.
19 Jun 2026 · 16 min readHow to increase rent legally in England in 2026: the Section 13-only process, the once-a-year limit, notice periods and the prescribed GOV.UK form.
18 Jun 2026 · 14 min readLearn how to write a tenancy agreement in England in 2026, step by step, with every clause an RRA 2025-compliant periodic assured tenancy now needs.
18 Jun 2026 · 12 min readSection 21 is abolished in England. Here's how and when no-fault eviction ended under the Renters' Rights Act 2025, and what replaces it for landlords.
18 Jun 2026 · 13 min readTenancy deposit protection explained for England landlords in 2026: the schemes, the 30-day rule, prescribed information and the penalties for getting it wrong.
18 Jun 2026 · 16 min readThe Renters' Rights Act 2025 explained for England landlords: Section 21 abolished, periodic tenancies, new Section 8 grounds, and the rent and pet rules.
18 Jun 2026 · 16 min readTry a different word, or .