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In this issue:
In this first edition of the Renters’ Rights Act newsletter we will be including information about the key changes to tenancies, new requirements for written information, what landlords need to do next and where to source information about the Renters’ Rights Act and the forthcoming changes that will take effect from 1 May 2026.
Over the course of the next 3 months, we will be releasing a newsletter every month relating to different aspects of the Renters’ Rights Act and aiming to help landlords to better understand the new requirements and their responsibilities around the changes.
Please note: all information in this newsletter comes from Government Guidance and may be subject to change.
The Government has introduced the Renters’ Rights Bill, now officially law as the Renters’ Rights Act 2025, marking the most significant reform to the private rented sector in over 30 years. First presented to Parliament on 11 September 2024, the Act affects over 11 million tenants and 2.3 million landlords across England.
From 1 May 2026, major reforms under the Renters’ Rights Act will transform renting in England.
From 1 May 2026 you will not be able to create an assured tenancy agreement with an end date (known as a ‘fixed term tenancy’). If you were to create a fixed term tenancy after this date your tenant would be able to complain to the council and you could be fined.
All assured tenancies will run on a rolling basis. For example, weekly or monthly. It will not be possible for them to be longer than a month at a time. This means that tenancies will continue until you or the tenant decide together to end the tenancy; the tenant decides to end the tenancy or you regain possession of the property.
If your tenancy started before 1 May 2026 it will automatically become a rolling tenancy on this date. If the tenancy has an end date, it will no longer apply.
From 1 May 2026, landlords will need to give tenants certain written information about key terms of the tenancy. This information must be provided by landlords, or a tenant can complain to the local council and a landlord could receive a fine of up to £7,000.
Landlords have to give this information when creating a new tenancy on or after 1 May 2026. This information can be included in the tenancy agreement or provided separately.
If you already have an existing written tenancy agreement and it was signed before 1 May 2026 then you do not need to provide this information. However, you will need to give your tenants the government produced information sheet published in March 2026. Once this is available we will provide the link in a future newsletter.
The information that a landlord must provide is:
- Landlords name and address
- Tenants name
- Property address
- Tenancy start date
- Rent amount and when it is due
- Rent increases
- Bills (if rent includes bills you must explain which ones are covered)
- Deposit
- Tenant ending the tenancy (anytime but cannot exceed 2 months)
- Landlord ending the tenancy
- Giving prior notice
- Fitness for human habitation
- Repairs to the property
- Electrical safety regulations
- Gas safety regulations
- Disability adaptations
- Pets
Landlords and Agents should begin reviewing your current tenancy templates and make changes to ensure they are in line with the new legislation and requirements.
Landlords and Agents should prepare to provide tenants with the government information sheet once it is published in March 2026.
We have created a webpage dedicated to the Renters Rights Act and endeavour to keep this updated as and when changes are implemented. However, all information on this webpage comes from Government Guidance and may be subject to change and therefore you are advised to keep yourself updated and not simply rely on the information being provided by the Council.
You can sign up to receive an email alert when new guidance is published including when the information sheet is available.
We want to work with you to improve housing in the city. If you want to get in touch with any questions please, contact the team:
Email: housingenforcement@coventry.gov.uk
Telephone: 024 7697 5467
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