Rent reviews have changed too. Landlords can still increase rents, but only once a year, with at least two months’ notice, and any increases must be ‘fair’ and in line with the wider market.
So, while it’s not the end of rental growth, it is the start of a tighter, more structured approach to rent increases.
Protection for tenants has also strengthened, including around pet requests, fairness, and the information landlords must provide.
Relevant existing tenants must also be given the official Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet by 31st May 2026, with potential penalties for non-compliance.
Further Reforms
More reforms are still to come, including a new private rented sector database, a landlord ombudsman, and the extension of Awaab’s Law and the Decent Homes Standard to the sector.
Although these later phases are not all live yet, the direction of travel is clear.
For investors, this should be seen as a positive shift. Well-located, modern, energy-efficient homes with strong management should stand out even more, while poorly run or lower-quality stock is more likely to struggle.
In other words, the gap between reactive landlords and better-prepared investors is set to widen.