For estate and letting agents, staying up to date with legal changes is all just a part of keeping things running smoothly day to day. The Renters’ Rights Act 2025, coming into effect on 1 May 2026, brings significant changes to how tenancies are managed in England, including important updates to tenancy structures and the way tenancies can be ended.
Agencies that prepare early will avoid last-minute disruption and keep everything on track for both landlords and tenants.
In this blog, we’ll break down what the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 means for letting agents and share some easy and practical ways to get prepared.
What the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 Means for Letting Agents
The Renters’ Rights Act is designed to bring more consistency to how tenancies are managed and simplify processes across the whole rental journey.
This includes:
A shift in how tenancy agreements are structured
New expectations around how rent increases are managed
Updates to how tenancies can be ended
Greater consistency in processes across the rental lifecycle
These updates will affect how estate agencies manage their portfolios on a daily basis, from onboarding new tenancies to how you handle rent reviews and notices.
Key Changes in the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 for Letting Agents
Key changes are coming under the new Renters’ Rights Act as part of phase one, including:
Assured Periodic Tenancies (APTs)
One of the biggest changes is the move from fixed-term ASTs to Assured Periodic Tenancies. These tenancies roll on continuously, meaning agencies need to manage tenancies as ongoing relationships rather than fixed cycles.
This changes how you handle:
Renewals
Notices
Rent reviews
Tenancy records
The key is to stay organised and keep communication clear. By doing that, managing rolling tenancies becomes much more straightforward, and tenants feel informed and supported throughout.
Section 13 rent increases
Rent increases must now follow the statutory Section 13 process, including the correct notice, timing, and clear record-keeping. In phase one, rent can only be increased once per year, and tenants must receive at least 2 months’ notice of any proposed increase.
This helps reduce the risk of disputes, so for agencies, having a reliable way to track rent reviews really matters.
Updated tenancy termination rules
From May 2026, there will be no more Section 21 no-fault evictions. Landlords can only end tenancies using defined grounds for possession (Section 8).
This means agencies need to clearly record:
Tenant notices
Landlord grounds
Notice periods
Supporting documentation
Accurate, well-organised records become even more important here, so it’s crucial to make sure you are keeping your documents up to date.
Rent repayment rules
Under the new rules, rent must now be paid monthly or every 28 days. Agents and landlords are not allowed to request lump sums in advance, and rent can’t be taken before the tenancy agreement is signed. The maximum rent in advance that can be requested is one month.
You’ll likely need to adjust how rent is collected and help landlords plan for more regular cycles of income.
Renting with pets
Landlords can no longer unreasonably refuse tenants with pets. Agencies can support them by helping to reduce risk, such as recommending pet damage insurance and making sure you carry out detailed property inspections.
Rent bidding
Another upcoming change in the Renters’ Rights Act is that landlords and agents are no longer allowed to ask for or accept any bids over the listed price.
As an agent, you need to make sure you are not underpricing a property, whilst also managing the landlord's expectations.
Tenant information
Under the new system, landlords must now make sure they provide tenants with a written summary of their rights. This includes tenancy structure and termination procedures.
Agencies can support landlords by making sure that this information is sent over to the tenant promptly (typically within the first few weeks of the tenancy starting).
Anti-discrimination protections
Landlords are not allowed to turn away a tenant because they have children or receive benefits, which includes things such as stopping someone from viewing a property or refusing tenancy.
As an agent, it’s important that you make sure both landlords and tenants are treated fairly.
Phase one starts on 1 May 2026, but that is just the beginning. Later phases will bring even more changes, including a landlord database and ombudsman and new rules to improve housing standards, so it’s important to keep yourself up to date.
How Letting Agents Can Prepare for the Renters’ Rights Act
Some simple ways to start getting prepared for the updates are:
Identifying which tenancies will transition to APTs
Reviewing processes for rent increases and notices
Getting your team up to speed with any changes
Checking tenancy termination procedures
Auditing workflows and automation rules
Although the legislation comes into force on 1 May 2026, now is the time to review your setup and get ahead of the changes.
Get Ready for the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 with Veco and Veco Plus
Veco is built to handle the day-to-day realities of tenancy management, and our most recent updates are designed to make the transition as smooth as possible.
With Veco, you can:
Manage APTs alongside existing ASTs with clear visibility
Track Section 13 notices, timelines, and documentation in one place
Maintain full tenancy audit trails to support compliance
Veco Plus users benefit from automatic updates, so your system stays aligned with legislation without additional effort. Veco users will receive updates through the standard release process, along with tools to help identify tenancies that may need transitioning.
Interested in how Veco and Veco Plus can help your agency handle the Renters’ Rights Act changes? Book a demo with our team today.
Renters’ Rights Act 2025 FAQs
When will the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 come into force?
The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 comes into force on 1 May 2026. It is planned to be done across three stages. Agencies that prepare early will find the transition much easier to manage.
What changes are coming to tenancy structures under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025?
ASTs are being replaced by Assured Periodic Tenancies, which roll on continuously. Veco helps you manage both clearly, so your records and workflows stay organised.
Will existing fixed-term ASTs automatically become APTs?
No, existing ASTs remain until they expire or are transitioned. Agencies can manage this process in a controlled and compliant way.
Do letting agents need new tenancy agreements under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025?
Yes, agreements should reflect the new structure, including updated notice periods and rent processes.
Where can I find more information on the Renters’ Rights Act 2025?
At Veco, we’ve created a dedicated Renters’ Rights Act 2025 Hub to support agencies preparing for the upcoming changes. It includes an overview of the legislation and answers to any common questions.
