Are you Ready for the “New Era" of Renting

Section 21 is Ending: Are you Ready for the “New Era" of Renting?

The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 is here and we have a definitive "Roadmap to Reform."

For many landlords, the next four months will be the most significant regulatory shift in a generation. From the total abolition of "no-fault" evictions to the mandatory move to periodic tenancies, the rulebook has been rewritten.

The Countdown: Key Dates You Cannot Ignore

The transition isn't a slow burn—it’s a series of hard deadlines. Here is how the next few months look:

• 30 April 2026 – The Final Deadline to Serve: This is the absolute last date a landlord can legally issue a Section 21 notice to a tenant. Once the clock strikes midnight, the "no-fault" route is gone for good.
• 1 May 2026 – The New Era Begins: This is the point of no return. All new and existing tenancies automatically convert to periodic (rolling) tenancies. Fixed terms are gone. Most importantly, Section 21 is abolished for everyone on this day.
• 31 May 2026 – The Paperwork Deadline: You have exactly 30 days from the "Big Bang" to provide your tenants with a formal written notice of their new rights. Failing to do this could jeopardize your ability to use the new Section 8 possession grounds.
• 31 July 2026 – The S21 "Backstop": If you served a Section 21 notice before May, you must have your court application filed by this date. After July 31st, any old Section 21 notice becomes legally worthless.

What Changes on Day One (May 1st)?

It’s not just about evictions. The entire way you manage property is changing:

• Rent Increases: You can now only raise rent once per year using the formal Section 13 procedure.
• Bidding Wars: It is now illegal to invite or accept "rental bids" above your advertised price.
• The PRS Database: A new national "Landlord Portal" will require you to register yourself and your properties—or face heavy local authority fines.

Don't Wait for the Deadline to Hit

The biggest mistake landlords make during major legislative shifts is waiting until the "Effective Date" to take action. By May 1st, your existing contracts need to be audited, and your compliance trail needs to be bulletproof.

"The 'Big Bang' implementation means there is no 'grace period' for existing tenancies. On May 1st, the old rules simply cease to exist."

Confused About the New Section 8 Grounds? Let’s Talk.

The end of Section 21 doesn't mean you lose control of your property, but it does mean your paperwork must be perfect to use the new possession grounds (like moving back in or selling).

Don’t leave your investment to chance. I am helping local landlords navigate these dates to ensure they aren't caught out by the July "backstop" or the May transition.

Give me a call today for a no-obligation chat about your portfolio. Let’s make sure you’re compliant before the deadline hits.

Jeff Brown

Beecroft Estates

01226 445024

jeffb@beecroftestates.co.uk