The Private Rented Sector held its breath in April as we moved toward 1st May, when the biggest change to the industry in decades took effect.
The first phase of the Renters’ Rights Act is now effective across England. In this month’s newsletter, we’ll be exploring a little of what’s changed and how it affects you.
Before we get into that, let’s take a look at the latest performance of the rental market.
Rental Market Performance in April 2026
Here’s what happened in the English rental market last month:
- The average monthly price for a rental property fell 0.58% from £1,212 in March to £1,205 in April
- April’s average rent of £1,205 is up 1.7% compared to 2025 figures (£1,185)
- The average void duration rose to 24 days
- The base interest rate in the UK stayed at 3.75%
Phase 1 of the Renters’ Rights Act is here. Here’s what that means for you
After years of anticipation, the first phase of the Renters’ Rights Act has finally become a reality in England. This is a watershed moment for our industry, and has massive implications for landlords, tenants, and agents alike.
There’s a lot of noise out there about what’s changed and what’s not. Here’s a list of the biggest changes to help cut through the fog:
- All tenancies are now periodic – Fixed-term assured shorthold tenancies have been abolished. All tenancies, new and existing, are now periodic by default, meaning they roll month-to-month with no fixed end date.
- Section 21 (‘no fault’) evictions abolished – Landlords can no longer evict tenants without a valid legal reason. Possession must now be sought using Section 8 notices with evidenced grounds (e.g. selling, moving in, or tenant breach).
- Rent increases limited – Rent can now only be increased once per year using the formal statutory process. Tenants have the right to challenge increases they believe exceed market levels.
- Ban on rental bidding – Properties must be advertised at a clear asking rent. Landlords and agents are no longer permitted to invite or accept offers above this price.
- Restrictions on rent in advance – Advance rent payments are now capped at one month’s worth, preventing requests for large upfront sums.
- Increased tenant rights – Tenants can request a pet, which cannot be unreasonably refused. Discrimination against tenants with children or those in receipt of benefits is prohibited. Listing restrictions such as “No DSS” or “No children” must not be used
- Mandatory tenant information – Landlords and letting agents must provide tenants with the official Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet, explaining their rights and how the new system works.
- Greater compliance expectations – With all evictions now grounds-based, record-keeping, documentation and legal compliance are more important than ever to support possession claims.
- Letting process changes – Agents and landlords must ensure marketing, tenancy agreements and internal processes are updated to reflect the new legal framework.
These changes have wide-ranging implications for our landlords. As always, we’ll be here to help you and your portfolio weather the new legislation and prepare for the future.
If you have any concerns or questions about the Renters’ Rights Act, please reach out to your managing agent, and they’ll be happy to help.
Goodlord releases “Is Renting Broken?” report
Our friends at Goodlord have recently released their new report into the Private Rented Sector (PRS): Is Renting Broken?
The report, based on research conducted with over 2,650 letting agents, landlords, and tenants, examines how stakeholders are interacting with the PRS. Goodlord research identifies four key issues holding back the industry:
- The Admin Avalanche
- The Value Void
- The Regulatory Reset
- The Tech Trap
If you’re interested in reading the full report, you can download it here.
A period of change and opportunity
With 1st May behind us, the industry has entered a period of great change. The key message at this stage is to remain practical. While headlines and commentary will continue, the immediate priority is to understand what has changed now, ensure compliance, and maintain clear, consistent processes.
As your letting agent, our role is to help you cut through that noise. We are actively reviewing portfolios, updating documentation, and supporting landlords through each stage of implementation, ensuring you remain compliant while continuing to manage your properties effectively.
Our agents will always be available should you need any help, advice, or support with your properties as we navigate this new legislative landscape.