Big changes start on 1st May 2026 under the new Renters' Rights Act 📢
#CAVENDISHEXPERTS! The logical choice for Lettings, Sales and Property Management in Nottingham | Cavendish Residential | One Fletcher Gate NG1 1QS | 0115 941 0656 | www.cavendishproperty.co.uk
📸 Lead image: Scott Sneath, Director of Finance and Operations at Cavendish Residential 📸
As you may be aware, the Renters' Rights Bill was given Royal Assent on 27th October 2025 - whilst nothing changed on that date, we fully expected a roadmap setting out a timeline for the first round of significant changes 🛣️
📢 The big changes will commence from 1st May 2026 📢
⏳ Phase 1 – 1st May 2026
This is when the private rented sector enters the new era. Most changes affecting Tenants and Landlords begin here🚦
🔸 Abolition of Section 21 - Landlords will no longer be able to recover possession of their property without providing a reason. acceptable reasons will be outlined in the grounds set out in Section 8 (we will write about these separately in due course).
🔸 No more Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreements (ASTs) - all Tenancies will automatically become Assured Periodic Tenancies (APTs) where Tenants must submit a minimum of 2 months' notice to expire at the end of a Tenancy period. As an example: if a Tenant has a current fixed end date of 17th November 2026, after 1st May 2026 they would be able to submit a 2 month notice to leave at the end of a Tenancy period (which would mean they could leave on 16th July 2026).
🔸 Reformed Section 8 possession grounds - Section 8 outlines various instances in which a Landlord can ask a judge to remove a Tenant from a property (by providing a Vacant Possession Order). For example: the Landlord may wish to sell the property, or they may have a family member that they want to live there, or they are seeking possession due to unpaid rent (there are a total of 37 grounds for possession under Section 8). Note: as above, we will write separately about these grounds along with their relevant notice periods.
🔸 Rent increases (using a Section 13 notice) – rent increases limited to one increase per year, but then, rent increases are once annually under the current rules anyway (not much changing here). Slight difference is that the notice period will increase from 1 month to 2 months.
🔸 Ban on rents in advance - Landlords will no longer be permitted to take more than 1 month's rental payment in advance (currently, if a Tenant does not fulfil referencing criteria or cannot provide a UK based Guarantor, Landlords typically ask for 6/12 months rent in advance to mitigate risk of non-payment - this will not be allowed from 1st May 2026).
🔸 Ban on rental bidding - pretty straight forward: Landlords will not be allowed to ask for a maximum rental bid on a property (so if there is more than one applicant, the Landlord can only choose on suitability as opposed to the highest bidder).
🔸Ban on certain types of rental discrimination - it will become unlawful to discriminate against Applicants or Tenants because they have children or because they receive benefits (for example “no children” or “no DSS” type policies, refusing viewings, or withholding information).
🔸Tenants’ right to request a pet - Tenants will have a formal right to request to keep a pet. Landlords must consider the request and respond within 28 days, and if they refuse, they will need to give valid reasons.
➡️ In due course, the Government will also:
Publish Landlord guidance on Phase 1 (November 2025)
Create guidance for Tenants (April 2026)
Develop a new digital end-to-end possession service (release in 2026)
➡️ Phase 2 from late 2026 (for context only at this stage)
Roll-out of the PRS Database (mandatory Landlord registration with an annual fee)
Establishment of the PRS Landlord Ombudsman
➡️ Phase 3 – dates following consultation
Extension of Awaab’s Law to the PRS
Introduction of a Decent Homes Standard for the PRS
📌 The Full Timeline — at a Glance...
2025
27 Oct – Act receives Royal Assent 👑
Nov – Landlord guidance released 📘
27 Dec – Council enforcement powers strengthen 🚨
2026
April – Tenant guidance + national awareness campaign 📢
1 May – Phase 1 begins 🚀
Late 2026 – PRS Database & Ombudsman groundwork starts 🗂️
Date to be confirmed
Extension of Awaab’s Law to the PRS 🔦
Decent Homes Standard to be fully introduced into the Private Rented Sector🧱
🏡 What This Means for Nottingham Landlords & Investors
This is the biggest rental reform in over 30 years. For many Self-managed Landlords, it may feel overwhelming — but with clear timelines and the right preparation, everything can be navigated smoothly.
At Cavendish Residential, we’ll be working closely with our managed Landlords to make sure all is ready for the upcoming changes, one step at a time - main thing is, we'll take care of everything crossing all 't's and dotting all 'i's ✅
📩 Implementing the Renters’ Rights Act 2025: full PDF as published by the Government, click here to download 📩
✉️ A Note to Let-Only / Self-Managed Landlords
🤔 If you manage your own lets, you may have a lot of questions (and that’s totally normal). The RRA introduces new obligations, timelines, forms and databases — and getting one step wrong can be costly. If you’re finding the admin a hassle or want specialist protection during the transition: 👉 Email our Operations Director Scott Sneath at scott.sneath@cavendishproperty.co.uk 📧
🆘 Scott will talk you through the simple steps to transfer management to us, ensure you’re fully protected under the new rules, and keep everything running smoothly with minimal disruption to you or your Tenants.
🤝 Our Promise to our Fully Managed customers — Assured, Calm, and One Step Ahead
✅You have nothing to worry about with us.
🧠 We’re obsessed with staying ahead of each development and will proactively manage every change so you don’t have to.
📄 From template updates and staff training to compliance audits and council correspondence, we’ll ensure a smooth, seamless management service
🚦Throughout the transitional period — and beyond
📣 Regular briefings (plain English, action-focused)
🧩 Portfolio reviews to pre-empt risk and reduce admin
🛡️ Full compliance management so you stay protected, documented, and inspection-ready
With our experienced team on your side, your properties — and your peace of mind — are in very safe hands 🤲
☎📧🗨
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🌟 Face-to-face visit (time to suit you, 100% accurate)... Email expert valuer lisa.dahl-parsisson@cavendishproperty.co.uk to get started 🌟
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#CAVENDISHEXPERTS! The logical choice for Lettings, Sales and Property Management in Nottingham | Cavendish Residential | One Fletcher Gate NG1 1QS | 0115 941 0656 | www.cavendishproperty.co.uk
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