Private Landlords Bulletin
Interim issue: February 2026

This edition will cover the following: 

•  Renters' Rights Act
    •  key changes
        •  stronger protections against backdoor evictions 
        •  end to the practice of rental bidding
    •  draft written information for your tenants

•  Would you like to take part in Housing Matters’ campaign about the
    new Renters Rights Act?

Renters’ Rights Act 2025:
key changes

     
The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 (’the Act’) is structured around 12 key changes. These are outlined in the government’s Guide to the Renters’ Rights Act.

In upcoming bulletins, we will be walking you through what changes are happening and how you can prepare. This issue highlights two changes – stronger protections against backdoor evictions, and the end to the practice of rental bidding.

Provide stronger protections against backdoor eviction

     
What are backdoors evictions?

These occur when landlords use indirect tactics to push tenants out, rather than issuing formal eviction notices. For example, landlords might excessively or frequently increase rent, so that it becomes unpayable for tenants and they are forced to move out.
     
What is changing?

From 1 May: 
•   Section 13, the statutory route for raising rent on periodic assured tenancies is
    being significantly strengthened, as it becomes the only lawful method for
    rent increases
•   rent can only increase once per year 
•   two months’ notice is required for any rent increase
•   tenants will have the right to challenge unfair rent hikes through the
    First-tier Tribunal 
•   only one month's rent in advance can be requested once any tenancy
    agreement has been signed, and before the tenancy commencement date  
•   councils can issue civil penalties for breaches relating to advance rent.

 

In a nutshell

Aspect	Old system	New system
Rental rate	No clear statutory limit	Capped at market rental rate
Frequency	Multiple rent increases per year possible	Limited to one per year via Section 13 process only
Challenge	Tenants had limited ability to challenge excessive rent hikes	Tenants can appeal above-market increases through an independent tribunal

 

What can landlords do?

•   plan rent adjustments in a structured way
•   ensure rent increases are based on market conditions
•   keep clear records of rent changes, reasons, and communications
•   research and stay informed about your local market
•   update tenancy agreements
•   avoid any practice that could be viewed as a covert eviction tactic.
     
Related guidelines

•   Rent increases
•   Rent payments and deposits

End the practice of rental bidding by prohibiting landlords and agents from asking for or accepting offers above the advertised rent

     
What is rental bidding?

Bidding wars are situations where tenants compete by offering higher rents, often inflating actual rental costs. 
    
What is changing?

From 1 May: 
•   landlords and agents must advertise one fixed rental price
•   phrases like “offers over” or “price range” are no longer allowed
•   asking for, encouraging, or accepting offers above the advertised
    rent is illegal.

 

In a nutshell

Aspect	Old system	New system
Advertised rent	Could include phrases like “offers over” or “price range.”	Must show a single fixed rent
Bidding	Landlords/agents could invite or accept bids above advertised rent	Landlords/agents cannot ask for, encourage, or accept offers above the advertised rent

 

What can landlords do?

•   understand the rental bidding restrictions thoroughly
•   update rental adverts (online, print, social media, emails)
•   keep records of all advertisements and related communication
•   review rent-setting strategy regularly.
    
Related guidelines

•   Rental bidding: a guide for landlords
•   Fees you can charge as part of a tenancy

In general

     
What can landlords do?

•   understand the updated landlord responsibilities
•   use the new forms available (when published) from the government
•   sign up for government alerts
•   check mortgage, insurance & tenancy documents for any outdated clauses 
•   stay alert for further reforms
•   conduct regular compliance reviews.
     
Further guidelines

•   Renting is changing
•   Guidance for landlords and letting agents

Renters’ Rights Act 2025:
draft written information for your tenants

From 1 May, landlords must give tenants a written statement of important information before tenancy agreements are signed. You may include the written statement in a written tenancy agreement, but you can give it separately. The government has already published draft secondary legislation, which  details the list of information that landlords need to include, e.g., landlords’ names, tenants’ names, address of the property being let, amount of rent payable and when it is due. The final version will be published in March 2026.

If you already rent out a property to tenants and you have a written tenancy agreement signed before 1 May 2026, you will not need to provide the written statement. Instead, you will need to give your tenants a government-produced information sheet which will be published online in March 2026. It will explain to your tenants how their tenancy might be affected by the changes to the law. You will have until 31 May 2026 to give it to your tenants.  

For more information, visit gov.uk. You can sign up to receive an email alert when new guidance is published.

Would you like to take part in Housing Matters’ campaign about the new Renters Rights Act?

Housing Matters (Bristol) is an organisation providing advice, support, and advocacy for residents and businesses across both the private rented and social housing sectors. They are working with local authorities across the region, the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority and partners in the wider charity sector.

As part of their Renters Rights Act awareness campaign, the team is working to help landlords and private tenants understand the upcoming changes and where to access clear, trustworthy guidance.

During the campaign week, the public will be looking for the real human stories behind these legal reforms. Housing Matters hopes to share a balanced range of perspectives from both landlords and private tenants. There are several ways you can get involved. You could:
•   take part in a brief filmed interview at a time and place that suits you
•   offer a short quote
•   share a longer written reflection. 

Housing Matters can support you with whichever option feels most comfortable, and you may contribute anonymously if preferred. If you are interested in taking part, please contact them at alice.tibbert@housingmatters.org.uk.

For more information about Housing Matters, please visit their website.