Deadline: 31 May 2026. All existing tenancies in England require a Written Statement of Tenancy Terms by this date. Penalty for non-compliance: up to £7,000 per tenancy.
Compliance guide
Renters' Rights Act ImplementationKey Dates & Timeline for Landlords
The Renters' Rights Act 2025 does not come into force all at once. Different provisions have different commencement dates, and some deadlines have already been set while others are still to be confirmed. This guide explains the timeline, clarifies the difference between "2025" and "2026" in the context of this legislation, and tells you exactly what to do and when.
Why People Search for "Renters' Rights Act 2026"
The Act is officially called the Renters' Rights Act 2025 — that is the year it received Royal Assent. However, many of its provisions take effect in 2026, which is why "renters rights act 2026" is a common search term.
This is not a separate bill. There is no "Renters' Rights Act 2026." It is the same piece of legislation — enacted in 2025, implemented in phases from 2026 onwards.
The Act's provisions are brought into force by commencement orders issued by the Secretary of State. Not all dates have been confirmed. The timeline below reflects what is known as of April 2026.
2025
Royal Assent
Renters' Rights Act 2025 receives Royal Assent and becomes law
Commencement orders begin to be issued for individual provisions
31 May 2026
Written Statement deadline
All existing tenancies must have a Written Statement of Tenancy Terms provided to the tenant
New tenancies already require it before the tenancy begins
Penalty for non-compliance: up to £7,000 per tenancy
Information Sheet must also be provided to existing tenants by this date
2026
Core reforms take effect
Section 21 abolition takes effect (exact commencement date TBC)
All ASTs convert to periodic assured tenancies
Reformed Section 8 possession grounds come into force
Rent increase restrictions apply (one increase per year via Section 13)
Tenant right to request a pet takes effect
2026–2027
Infrastructure & enforcement
PRS Ombudsman scheme launches — all landlords must join
PRS database goes live — all landlords must register properties
Decent Homes Standard extended to private rented sector
Local housing authority enforcement powers fully operational
Your First Deadline: 31 May 2026
The first hard deadline with a financial penalty is the Written Statement of Tenancy Terms. By 31 May 2026, every landlord in England with an existing assured tenancy must have provided a compliant Written Statement to their tenant.
The penalty for not complying is a civil fine of up to £7,000 per tenancy, enforced by local housing authorities.
This is the obligation you can and should act on now. The other deadlines (PRS database, Ombudsman) have not yet been announced, so the Written Statement is the one that requires immediate action.
What You Should Do Now
Do not wait for all commencement dates to be confirmed. The Written Statement deadline is set and the penalty is significant. Here is the recommended action:
Now: Provide the Written Statement for all existing tenancies via RentCompliant (£15 per tenancy, 2 minutes)
Yes. As new commencement orders are issued and additional deadlines are confirmed, this page will be updated. The implementation of the Renters' Rights Act 2025 is ongoing, and we will track each phase as it is announced.
The first deadline is 31 May 2026. Act now.
Written Statement — 2 minutes. £15. Delivery record included.
There is no separate "2026 renters rights bill." The legislation is the Renters' Rights Act 2025, which received Royal Assent in 2025. Some of its provisions take effect in 2026, which is why people search for a "2026" bill. The key 2026 date is 31 May 2026 — the deadline for landlords to provide a Written Statement of Tenancy Terms to existing tenants.
When does the Renters' Rights Act come into force?
The Act received Royal Assent in 2025, but its provisions come into force on different dates set by commencement orders. The Written Statement requirement has a deadline of 31 May 2026 for existing tenancies. The PRS Ombudsman and landlord database are expected to launch later in 2026 or 2027.
Has Section 21 already been abolished?
The abolition of Section 21 is part of the Renters' Rights Act 2025, but it takes effect on a date set by a commencement order. Until that commencement date, existing Section 21 notices remain valid. Check the latest commencement orders for the exact date — the government has committed to a phased transition.
Do I need to do anything before the Written Statement deadline?
Yes. For existing tenancies, you must provide a Written Statement of Tenancy Terms to your tenant by 31 May 2026. For new tenancies created after the relevant commencement date, you must provide it before the tenancy begins. The penalty for not complying is up to £7,000 per tenancy.
Will there be more deadlines after May 2026?
Yes. The PRS database registration and PRS Ombudsman membership will have their own deadlines, which have not yet been announced. The Decent Homes Standard extension and other provisions will also be phased in. This page will be updated as dates are confirmed.
Don't wait for the next deadline. Handle the first one now.
The Written Statement deadline is 31 May 2026. RentCompliant generates a compliant document, emails it to your tenant, and stores proof of delivery. £15. Takes 2 minutes.