Staying current

Private renting law changes often — this page tracks what's changing and where to turn for help, for both landlords and tenants. Looking for compliance checklists and forms instead? Visit our practical toolkit. This page links out to official government and support-organisation sources; it isn't legal advice.

← Back to homepage

Last checked 13 October 2026 against GOV.UK and the government's Housing Hub

Key dates for landlords in England

1 May 2026: Renters' Rights Act main changes. Section 21 "no fault" evictions abolished, all tenancies become rolling periodic tenancies, and rent increases limited to once a year with two months' notice (Section 13).
6 April 2026: Making Tax Digital for Income Tax started for qualifying income over £50,000. It extends to over £30,000 from April 2027 and over £20,000 from April 2028. MTD guide
15 December 2026: "Register your rental property" (the PRS Database) opens, starting in the West Midlands. £65 a year per property. PRS Database guide
Awaab's Law for private renting: the government is consulting until 18 December 2026 on extending Awaab's Law (fixed deadlines to investigate and fix damp, mould and other serious hazards) to private rented homes. No start date has been set yet. GOV.UK consultation
Later phases: the PRS Landlord Ombudsman (landlords expected to have to join in 2028) and the Decent Homes Standard for private renting (from 2035). The government will confirm dates closer to the time.
Council licensing: schemes start and end all the time. Check licensing by council

Current law & government announcements

Private renting law has changed significantly and continues to evolve — these are the two places to check first.

LandlordHub guide

The PRS Database — what to do now

Registration opens 15 December 2026, starting in the West Midlands. What it is, who it affects and when, and how to get ready.

Read the PRS Database guide

Current law

Renters' Rights Act — overview for landlords

The official government overview of the Renters' Rights Act and what it changes for landlords — tenancy types, possession grounds, rent increases and more.

Read the overview on GOV.UK

What's changing

Government consultations & announcements

The government's hub for upcoming and ongoing changes to private renting — consultations, new rules being introduced, and announcements as they land.

See what's changing on GOV.UK

Local council rules

National law is only half the picture — a lot of what applies to a specific property is set locally.

Always check your local authority too

Licensing and enforcement can vary considerably between councils, so it's worth checking directly with the local authority for each property you let — not just relying on national rules.

Selective licensing — some councils require a licence for any rented property in a designated area, even a single self-contained let.
Additional HMO licensing — councils can extend HMO licensing beyond the mandatory national rules to smaller shared houses in their area.
Local enforcement — how actively standards are checked and enforced differs from one council to the next.

Find your local council

Enter a postcode to go straight to the right council's website for licensing, planning and enforcement.

Find my council →

Hubs & support

Starting points for deeper reading, plus free, independent advice if things get complicated.

For landlords

Running a compliant tenancy

The full set of legal responsibilities that come with renting out a property, plus independent support from the sector's membership body.

LandlordHub — Making Tax Digital guide GOV.UK — Renting out a property National Residential Landlords Association

For tenants

Knowing your rights

What a landlord must provide, how to report problems, and where to get free, independent advice if a landlord won't act.

GOV.UK — Private renting Shelter — housing advice Citizens Advice — housing

LandlordHub

Free tools

Landlord services

Sign in