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14/7/25 8:13 pm
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Landlords and agents who don’t follow the new rules under the Renters’ Rights Act have been given details of the tough penalties they face.
A new government guide explains the tenancy reform enforcement measures that will apply to all assured tenancies in the PRS from 1st May 2026 for new breaches and offences.
· claim to let the property on a fixed-term tenancy instead of a rolling tenancy
· claim to end a tenancy verbally
· require a tenancy to be ended verbally
· fail to give a tenant written notice that a specified ground might be used where this is required by law
· fail to give a written statement of terms containing the information required by regulations
· fail to give existing tenants an information sheet which tells them about changes made by the act on or after 1st May 2026
· use a possession ground in a section 8 notice, purported notice of possession or claim form when you do not reasonably believe that a possession order will be granted by the court on that ground
· try to end the tenancy using a notice to quit or purported notice of possession.
A notice to quit is a written document, which can include texts or WhatsApp messages, telling the tenant to leave by a certain date. A purported notice of possession can also include texts or WhatsApp messages and may wrongly claim to invoke a valid section 8 notice.
· relet or remarket a property within the 12 month no relet and remarketing ‘restricted period’ after using statutory grounds for possession 1 or 1A, unless you took all reasonable steps not to or an exception applies
· knowingly used a ground for possession despite knowing that a court would not order possession on it, or being reckless about that, resulting in the tenant leaving within four months without an order for possession being made
· committed a breach within five years of a previous offence
· committed a breach within five years of receiving a financial penalty for a previous breach that has not been withdrawn
· continued to commit a breach for more than 28 days after receiving a financial penalty for that breach that has not been withdrawn and is not the subject of an ongoing appeal
Exceptions to the 12 month rule include if you or a close family member moves in and uses the property as an only or main home, or if the new lease being marketed or granted will be for more than 21 years.
A local authority will need to be satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that a breach or offence has taken place before they act.
You can contact the MHCLG using this form if you have any questions.
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