The Renters' Rights Act is now in force: what local landlords need to know
The biggest shake-up of the private rental sector in over 30 years is no longer on the horizon. The Renters' Rights Act came fully into force on 1 May 2026, and every tenancy in England, old or new, now sits under the new rules. If you let property in Teignmouth, Shaldon, Bishopsteignton or anywhere across South Devon, here is what has changed and what still lies ahead.
What changed on 1 May 2026
Assured shorthold tenancies no longer exist. All tenancies, including those signed years ago, converted automatically to periodic assured tenancies. There are no more fixed terms and tenants can end a tenancy with two months' notice at any point.
Section 21 "no fault" evictions have been abolished. Landlords now need a legal ground to regain possession, such as selling the property or moving back in, and notice periods for most grounds have increased.
Rent increases must now follow the formal process: once a year at most, with two months' notice, and tenants have the right to challenge an increase at tribunal. Rent in advance is capped at one month, rental bidding is banned, and requests to keep a pet can no longer be unreasonably refused.
Two dates that matter right now
31 July 2026. If you served a valid section 21 notice before the changeover, court claims relying on it must be issued within six months of the notice or by 31 July 2026, whichever comes first. After that the notice is worthless. If you are in this position, speak to us or your solicitor urgently.
The Information Sheet deadline has already passed. Landlords with tenancies that were ASTs on 1 May had until 31 May 2026 to give tenants the official government information sheet, and the penalty for not doing so can reach £7,000. If this slipped through the net, it is worth putting right straight away. Our managed landlords have already had this taken care of.
What is still to come
The new Private Rented Sector Database is expected to begin rolling out regionally from late 2026, with a full launch to follow. Every landlord will need to register. A new landlord ombudsman scheme is expected afterwards. In other words, the admin burden is not finished growing, and keeping compliant is only going to get more involved.
Our view
None of this makes letting property in South Devon a bad idea. Demand for good rental homes across Teignmouth and the surrounding villages remains strong, and well-managed properties with fair rents are letting quickly. What has changed is the cost of getting things wrong.
Dart & Partners has been letting and managing property here since 1971, and our lettings team deals with these rules every day. Whether you want full management or just a health check on your current tenancy paperwork, we are happy to talk it through, with no obligation.
Contact our lettings team or call into the office, and if you are weighing up whether letting still stacks up, book a free rental valuation.
