The introduction of the Renters’ Rights Act on 1 May 2026 means that some things have changed for both landlords and their tenants. It’s important to review the changes so you can understand what action you need to take – read on to find out more.
Landlord responsibilities vs tenant responsibilities in 2026
Landlord responsibilities
The Renters’ Rights Act has introduced more rights for tenants, and that means that landlords have more responsibilities than they did before. Here are a few examples of the new and different responsibilities:
Documentation: You’ll need to provide tenants with the Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet, which can be found here.
Property maintenance: It’s your responsibility to keep the property in a liveable condition – that means it should be safe and fit for habitation. You should have electrical checks carried out every five years, keep the property compliant with gas safety, and make sure you quickly address any health hazards like mould or damp.
Fair pricing and advertising: You can’t have bidding wars for your property - make sure you advertise the property with a clear asking price. When it comes to increasing rent, you can only do this once a year (and not within the first 52 weeks of the tenancy). You also can’t request or accept more than one month’s rent in advance.
Pets and children: Tenants now have the right to request a pet, so you’ve got to consider every request carefully – you can’t blanket ban pets from your property. Similarly, you should consider applicants equally.
Ending a tenancy: No-fault evictions are no longer allowed under UK law, but you can reclaim your property if you have a legally recognised reason (such as selling the property). You’ll need to give your tenants the required notice too1.
Tenant responsibilities
While tenants have been given more rights under the Renters’ Rights Act, they still have plenty of responsibilities. Here are a few things that they should be doing:
Rent and bills payment: Tenants should pay the rent on time and in full, as outlined in the tenancy agreement. If bills and council tax are part of the agreement, they should pay these on time too.
Property care: Tenants should do their best to keep the property clean and report any damage so it can be repaired quickly.
Quiet enjoyment: Tenants have the right to the quiet enjoyment of their property – that means no anti-social behaviour
Leaving the property: If a tenant wants to end their tenancy, they’ll need to give their landlord two months’ notice.2
Why you need landlord insurance
Landlord insurance can play an important supporting role as you adapt to the changes introduced under the Renters’ Rights Act.
Having the right insurance in place can help protect you against financial risks such as property damage from tenants, or loss of rent, while also giving you access to expert support if issues arise.
It’s important to check your insurance policy to ensure you have the cover you need and speak to your provider if you have any questions. It can’t replace the need to stay compliant with the new regulations, but it does help you manage the day‑to‑day impact of those changes.
