Since 1 May 2026, every assured shorthold tenancy in England has become a periodic assured tenancy, section 21 no fault evictions have been abolished, and rent can rise only once a year by statutory notice. That is the Renters' Rights Act 2025, chapter 26, whose main provisions were commenced on 1 May 2026 by SI 2025/1354, and it is the biggest change to residential letting since 1988. This guide sets out what a Nottingham landlord must actually do differently.
What changed on 1 May 2026
Fixed terms have gone. Tenancies are periodic, and the tenant may end one with two months' notice at any point.
Section 21 has gone. Possession now stands or falls on the statutory grounds, with the evidence to prove them.
Rent increases follow section 13 of the Housing Act 1988 as amended: one increase a year, on the prescribed form, with the tenant able to refer it to the tribunal. Our guide to rent increases after the 2025 Act covers the procedure.
No more than one month's rent may be taken in advance.
A tenant has the right to request a pet, and consent cannot be unreasonably refused.
Discrimination against tenants with children or on benefits is expressly prohibited.
The deadline many landlords missed
Landlords were required to give existing tenants the government's information sheet about the new rules by 31 May 2026, with a penalty of up to £7,000 for failure. If you have not done it, do it now: late is materially better than never, and the sheet is free to download from GOV.UK. New tenancies must include the prescribed information from the start.
What good practice now looks like
The Act rewards landlords who run tenancies on paper rather than on trust. Possession stands on evidenced grounds, so rent records, inspection reports, correspondence and notices are no longer administration, they are your case. Deposits must be protected and the prescribed information served, because failures now obstruct possession as well as attracting penalties of up to three times the deposit. And rent repayment orders under the 2025 Act can reach two years' rent for the more serious offences, licensing failures among them, which is why our guides to selective licensing in Nottingham and additional and HMO licensing sit beside this one.
None of this is difficult with a system behind it. It is close to impossible from a kitchen drawer, which is why the Act has pushed so many self-managing landlords towards professional management. Our Fully Managed service runs the whole compliance calendar, and our lettings team works one floor from the solicitors of Trent Law.
Where to check the law itself
The Act is on legislation.gov.uk under Renters' Rights Act 2025, chapter 26, and the government's landlord guidance is on GOV.UK. Anything on this page is general information rather than legal advice on your tenancy; for advice on a live problem, Trent Law Solicitors can act.
