The Renters’ Rights Act, coming into force on 1st May 2026, will bring significant changes to the private rented sector in England. OpenRent is preparing to support landlords through this transition by automating compliance and simplifying the management of tenancies under the new legal framework.

Transitioning Existing and New Tenancies

One key concern for landlords is the fate of existing tenancies when the Act takes effect. OpenRent has designed its system to automatically convert any Rent Now tenancy that began before 1st May 2026 into a periodic tenancy on that date. This ensures a seamless transition without requiring landlords to take additional steps.

Additionally, OpenRent will automatically serve the mandatory government “Information Sheet” to tenants on behalf of landlords, helping maintain compliance effortlessly.

For new tenancies starting from 1st May 2026, OpenRent will provide an updated, legally vetted contract tailored to meet the requirements of the Renters’ Rights Act. Landlords will retain the ability to preview and customise these agreements digitally before signing, ensuring a smooth and compliant letting process.

It is important to note that these changes apply only to tenancies in England. Private residential tenancies in Scotland, occupation contracts in Wales, and lodger agreements remain unaffected by this legislation.

Advertising Properties Under the New Rules

OpenRent’s advertising platform will largely remain unchanged, continuing to help landlords find suitable tenants efficiently. Landlords will still be able to indicate their preferred tenancy length, even as fixed-term agreements transition to periodic tenancies. This feature aims to align landlord and tenant expectations, reducing unnecessary viewings.

Tenant preference filters will also remain available, with integrated reminders to ensure that criteria comply with the new legal standards. This guidance helps landlords avoid inadvertently breaching the Act while maintaining control over their tenant selection process.

Rent and Payment Changes

The Renters’ Rights Act introduces new rules around rent setting and payment, but landlords will continue to set rental prices reflecting their property’s value. OpenRent has embedded safeguards within its platform to help landlords comply with these changes without uncertainty.

From 1st May 2026, rental bidding will be prohibited. OpenRent will automatically flag any property descriptions that suggest or encourage tenants to offer more than the advertised rent, ensuring listings remain compliant with the law.

Moreover, the Act limits upfront rent payments to no more than one month’s rent, ending the practice of collecting multiple months in advance. This change removes a traditional safety net for landlords letting to certain tenant groups, such as students or expatriates.

Consequently, robust tenant vetting, rent guarantee insurance, and automated rent collection tools become essential. OpenRent continues to enhance these services, helping landlords manage risk and protect rental income without relying on large upfront payments.

Rent increases will now require serving a Section 13 notice, limited to once every 12 months. OpenRent is developing a tool to automate this process, ensuring landlords can issue these notices correctly and legally with minimal effort.

Additional Tools to Support Compliance

OpenRent is actively updating its platform to assist landlords with the evolving legal landscape. A forthcoming Section 8 notice tool will guide landlords through the new grounds for possession following the abolition of Section 21, providing a clear and compliant process for regaining possession when necessary.

Despite these legislative changes, OpenRent aims to maintain a straightforward letting experience. From advertising to tenant selection and agreement creation, the platform will continue to handle the complex legal requirements, allowing landlords to focus on managing their properties confidently.

Final Thoughts

The Renters’ Rights Act represents a major shift in England’s private rented sector, but OpenRent’s proactive approach seeks to make compliance manageable and automatic. The platform’s ongoing updates and support will help landlords navigate the changes smoothly, from initial advertising through to tenancy management.

Landlords are encouraged to stay informed through OpenRent’s blog and newsletter as the 1st May 2026 deadline approaches, ensuring they are prepared for the new regulatory environment.

What this means for landlords

Landlords will benefit from OpenRent’s automation of key compliance tasks, reducing the risk of legal errors and administrative burdens. The transition to periodic tenancies and the abolition of Section 21 may initially seem complex, but OpenRent’s tools and guidance aim to simplify these changes.

With rent bidding banned and upfront payments capped, landlords must rely more heavily on tenant referencing and insurance products to safeguard their income. OpenRent’s integrated services will be crucial in supporting landlords to adapt effectively and maintain secure tenancies.

Source: Based on reporting from OpenRent

TLA Training Academy

The Landlord Association has launched its new Training Academy for UK landlords, providing structured guidance, compliance education, and practical knowledge to support landlords at every stage. Members can now complete the programme and become TLA Certified Landlords at no additional cost as part of their membership.

Landlords can explore the Academy here: https://landlordassociation.org.uk/tla-academy/

Those looking to join and access the full training and certification can register here: https://landlordassociation.org.uk/landlord-association-membership-uk/

TLA update

The Landlord Association is currently onboarding new service providers into its Trusted Partner Hub, a new initiative designed to support landlords, tenants, letting agents, and property managers with vetted, high-quality services. As one of the fastest growing landlord associations in the UK, TLA offers partners direct access to an engaged and active member base at the point of need. Service providers across legal, maintenance, insurance, finance, mortgages, tenant screening, and property services can register their interest here: https://landlordassociation.org.uk/become-a-tla-service-partner/