The Renters’ Rights Act, week one...
The Renters’ Rights Act came into force on 1 May 2026, making this perhaps the most significant week for the private rented sector in decades. If you are a landlord, the period for preparation has officially ended—the new rules are now live.
The question is: have you done what you need to do?
What landlords need to be doing now
The transition to the new system is immediate. Here are the most urgent actions you should have already taken, or must complete by the end of this month:
Issue the official Information Sheet: For all existing tenancies, you are legally required to provide your tenants with the official Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet by 31 May 2026. This explains their new rights under the periodic system.
Acknowledge the end of fixed terms: Every tenancy is now a rolling periodic tenancy. If you have new tenants moving in, you cannot include an end date in the agreement.
Update your notice procedures: Section 21 "no-fault" evictions are now abolished. To regain possession, you must use specific grounds under Section 8, such as selling the property or moving in yourself. These typically require a four-month notice period.
Prepare for pet requests: You can no longer have a blanket "no pets" policy. You must consider requests reasonably and respond within set timeframes.
Making Tax Digital (MTD)
While you navigate the new rental laws, the tax landscape has also shifted. As of 6 April 2026, Making Tax Digital for Income Tax is mandatory for landlords with a combined property and business income of over £50,000.
Under these rules, you are now required to:
Maintain digital records of all income and expenses.
Submit quarterly updates to HMRC using compatible software.
Provide a Final Declaration at the end of the tax year.
If you are still using manual spreadsheets or paper records, you may find it difficult to meet the first quarterly deadline this summer.
Do you need an agent to stay compliant?
The combined pressure of the Renters’ Rights Act and MTD has made self-management significantly more complex. One administrative oversight could result in heavy fines or the inability to reclaim your property when needed.
Evenmore Properties is ready to help. We have updated our processes to ensure every property we manage is fully compliant with the 1 May regulations. To support you with the new tax requirements, we use a sophisticated management platform—our software—designed to take the weight off your shoulders:
HMRC Categorisation: Our system is designed to categorise transactions against HMRC’s specific tax headings, ensuring your data is organised correctly from the start.
Instant Financial Reports: We can produce comprehensive reports for your portfolio that track income and expenditure. These are designed to assist with your quarterly MTD submissions and can be exported for your accountant.
The Landlord App: You can access your monthly statements, expense receipts, and financial reports 24/7 via our dedicated app, giving you a real-time view of your investment.
Compliance Tracking: Our system automatically flags when safety certificates like Gas Safety, EICRs, and EPCs are due for renewal, ensuring you never inadvertently breach your legal obligations.
We are here to ensure you stay compliant without the stress. How are you currently managing your digital records for the upcoming tax deadlines?