Renters’ Rights Act 2026: Phase 1 Compliance for Letting Agents
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Phase one of the Renters' Rights Act has reshaped lettings in England. Are you up to date? 

The Renters’ Rights Act has brought significant change to the lettings landscape. At The Guild, our focus is simple: to help you turn that change into confidence, clarity and commercial opportunity.

What Is the Renters’ Rights Act 2026? 

The Renters’ Rights Act 2026 is a major reform of tenancy law in England, designed to improve security for tenants while creating a more transparent and consistent framework for landlords and letting agents. It introduced significant legislative changes that reshaped how residential lettings are managed across the UK. 

From May 2026, Phase One of the Act came into effect, bringing key changes such as the removal of fixed-term assured shorthold tenancies and the transition to assured periodic tenancies. These changes have impacted how tenancies are created, managed, and ended. 

The Act affects letting agents, landlords, and tenants, requiring updates to tenancy agreements, communication processes, and compliance practices. Letting agents, in particular, have needed to adapt their operations, ensure accurate guidance to clients, and maintain compliance with the new legal framework. 


The Guild's Renters' Rights Act Support Programme

Our practical, step-by-step action programme is designed to help you implement changes as you go, communicate with landlords clearly and position your business as the trusted local expert in your market.

We have a six-stage guided programme for Members with a dedicated Hub page, webinar, FAQs and guidance: 

End of Fixed Term Tenancies

Get clarity on what has changed and how to confidently guide landlords and tenants through the new tenancy landscape.

Gaining Possession

Understand the new framework and learn how to manage possession requests with professionalism, clarity and confidence.

Possession Grounds

Build confidence in applying updated grounds correctly and support your team with consistent, well-informed decisions.

Managing Rent Increases

Learn how to position rent reviews clearly, handle objections, and protect landlord relationships while maintaining income.

Payments in Advance

Understand what has changed around upfront payments and how to explain this clearly and professionally to clients.

Rental Bidding, Discrimination and Pets

Strengthen your approach to fair marketing, applicant handling and pet policies through practical, real-world scenarios.


We don’t just explain the legislation - we help you to apply it. Our programme offers: 

  • A live expert-led weekly webinar with our Compliance Officer, Paul. Clear information on everything in Phase One from the end of fixed term tenancies, to letting with pets.

  • Weekly virtual drop-in sessions. After our six topic-focused webinars, we've been on hand to answer any questions as Members apply the changes to their businesses.

  • Practical marketing materials to communicate the changes to landlords. Confident communications will demonstrate your knowledge and authority.

  • Clear operational guidance your team can implement immediately. 

 

How Letting Agents Should Approach the Renters’ Rights Act  

To meet the changes implemented by the Renters’ Rights Act 2026, letting agents should take proactive steps to ensure compliance and smooth implementation. This includes reviewing tenancy agreements, updating landlord communication, training staff on new legal requirements, and adapting rent review processes to align with the changes. 

Playback 'End of Fixed Term Tenancies' Webinar

Since 1st May 2026, all fixed-term tenancies have ended. Every tenancy in England has moved to the new assured periodic model. This is one of the biggest structural changes to the lettings sector in decades.
 
This is your exclusive insight into the support we're offering our Members for Phase One of the Renters' Rights Act - complete the form below to playback our End of Fixed-Term Tenancies Webinar and learn more. 
 
 

What you'll learn

This practical, operational session delivered by The Guild's in-house Compliance Officer, Paul Offley covers:

  • The key changes including the removal of fixed-term assured shorthold tenancies
  • The transition to assured periodic tenancies and how these differ from fixed-term arrangements
  • How assured periodic tenancies are created and how rent periods operate
  • The tenant and landlord notice requirements under the new model
  • Recognising the impact of the changes on possession processes and rent reviews
  • How to apply the new requirements when issuing tenancy documentation and managing tenancies
  • Providing accurate, consistent advice to tenants, landlords, and other stakeholders
  • Identifing compliance risks and staff responsibilities in preventing non-compliance
  • How to adapt tenancy management practices to align with the Act

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Title: FAQs: Renters’ Rights Act 2026  
 

Q: What happens to fixed-term tenancies in 2026? 
A: From May 2026, all fixed-term tenancies have transitioned to assured periodic tenancies under the new legislation. 

Q: What is an assured periodic tenancy? 
A: An assured periodic tenancy is a rolling tenancy with no fixed end date, allowing tenants to remain in the property and leave by giving notice. 

Q: How does the Renters’ Rights Act affect letting agents? 
A: Letting agents need to update tenancy agreements, adjust processes, and ensure clear communication with landlords to remain compliant. 

Be confident with compliance

At The Guild, compliance is more than a checkbox - it’s a central core of our membership.
 
As well as this in-depth programme, Guild Members benefit from:
 
✅ Weekly compliance updates
✅ A library of templates for key business documents
✅ One on one support from Paul, when you need it 
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