How does Renters' Rights Act affect compliance?

The Renters' Rights Act has been in force since 1 May 2026 and introduces major changes for landlords, some immediate and some phased in over the following years. Section 21 no-fault evictions have been abolished and tenancies are now periodic. Landlords must register on the new PRS Database. Rent increases are limited to once a year through a Section 13 notice, which a tenant can challenge at tribunal. Tenants can request permission to keep a pet, and a landlord must reply in writing within 28 days, with the request treated as granted if that deadline is missed. Two further reforms are coming but are not yet in force for private lets: the Decent Homes Standard is being extended to the sector for the first time, with enforcement from 2035, and Awaab's Law, which sets strict deadlines for investigating and fixing serious hazards such as damp and mould, is expected to follow. Read our full guide to the Renters' Rights Act changes for landlords.