County Durham
Big changes are coming… are you prepared?
The Renters’ Rights Act is the biggest shake-up in the private rental sector since 1988.
From May 1st 2026, the way you let and manage property will change significantly – and landlords who aren’t prepared could face higher risk, fines, and longer possession timelines.
At Northgates, we’re already helping landlords adapt early and protect their investments.
No more “no-fault” evictions.
From May 2026, all possession cases must go through Section 8, with updated and expanded grounds.
This means more paperwork, stricter rules, and longer timelines if handled incorrectly
Fixed-term ASTs will disappear overnight.
Every tenancy will automatically become rolling (periodic) from day one.
You lose the certainty of fixed terms – strategy becomes more important than ever
Rent can only be increased using a Section 13 notice, once annually.
No more rent review clauses or renewal uplifts
Tenants can appeal increases via a tribunal.
If you overprice, you risk delays and being overruled
All rental properties must meet the Decent Homes Standard.
Fines up to £7,000 for non-compliance
Repeat breaches could lead to prosecution
Issues like damp and mould must be dealt with within defined timeframes.
Delays could now carry legal consequences
You must advertise a fixed rental price.
No accepting higher offers from competing tenants
You must consider pet requests fairly.
Blanket bans are no longer acceptable
You cannot charge a pet deposit
A national database and independent ombudsman will be introduced.
Increased transparency and accountability
Disputes handled outside court
You cannot refuse tenants based on:
Children
Benefits
All listings must be free from discriminatory language
These changes don’t just affect compliance – they affect:
In short: being a landlord is becoming more regulated and less flexible
We’re already helping landlords prepare by:
Many landlords will only react when problems arise – by then, it’s often expensive and stressful.
A quick review now could save you thousands later
If you’d like advice on how the Renters’ Rights Act affects your property:
Or speak to our lettings team directly
Northgates Estate Agents – Keeping Landlords One Step Ahead