Renters' Rights Act compliance for landlords & agents
The biggest change to renting in England in a generation is already here. Phase 1 of the Renters' Rights Act 2025 has been in force since 1 May 2026 — and more is coming. Complys keeps your property-compliance evidence in order so you stay on the right side of it.
What is already in force (since 1 May 2026)
The Renters' Rights Act 2025 received Royal Assent on 27 October 2025, and its first main phase came into force in England on 1 May 2026. From that date: section 21 "no-fault" evictions are abolished; assured shorthold tenancies have become periodic assured tenancies with no fixed term or end date; reformed grounds for possession apply; rent may be increased once a year using the statutory process with two months' notice; rental bidding and excessive advance rent are restricted; tenants can request to keep a pet and it cannot be unreasonably refused; and there are new anti-discrimination rules on benefits and children. Local authorities gained new investigatory and enforcement powers from 27 December 2025.
Renters' Rights Act 2025 · Jurisdiction — England · Phase 1 in force 1 May 2026 · Housing is devolved: Wales and Scotland have separate regimes · This is general information, not legal advice
What is still to come
Several major parts of the Act are being introduced later, by regulations, rather than on the 1 May 2026 date — so their detail and go-live dates are set separately. These include the private rented sector database (landlords required to register themselves and their properties), a PRS Landlord Ombudsman, the extension of a Decent Homes Standard to the private rented sector, and Awaab's Law-style timescales for dealing with serious hazards in the sector. We describe these as forthcoming, not current law; always check GOV.UK for the position on the day.
Safety certificates in date
Keep gas safety, EICR and EPC certificates tracked with expiry alerts — the baseline compliance every let still depends on.
Property condition evidence
Hold the condition, hazard and remedial-action records that show a home is safe and well-maintained — the evidence a Decent Homes Standard will look for.
Hazard response, timed
Log reported hazards and track the fix to closure with dates — ready for Awaab's Law-style timescales as they extend to the sector.
Ready for the PRS database
Keep your property and compliance records structured and current, so registering on the database and evidencing it is straightforward when it opens.
Across a portfolio
See compliance status across every property and every certificate in one place, whether you manage ten homes or a large portfolio.
Audit-ready trail
A timestamped record of certificates, checks and actions you can show a local authority, a tenant or a client.
Where Complys fits — and where it doesn't
Complys is the compliance-evidence platform for landlords and letting agents: it keeps your landlord and property compliance records, your certificate expiry tracking, and — for larger portfolios — your block management and social housing compliance. It is not a lettings or tenancy-management system: it does not draft notices, manage tenancy agreements or advise on possession. For those, use a solicitor or a tenancy platform; for the compliance evidence behind them, use Complys.
Renters' Rights Act — FAQs
Is the Renters' Rights Act in force yet?
Yes, in part. The Renters' Rights Act 2025 received Royal Assent on 27 October 2025, and its first main phase came into force on 1 May 2026 in England. Since that date section 21 'no-fault' evictions have been abolished, assured tenancies are periodic (with no fixed term or end date), the reformed possession grounds apply, and the rules on rent increases, rental bidding, advance rent, pet requests and anti-discrimination apply. Other parts — the private rented sector database, the landlord ombudsman, the Decent Homes Standard for the private rented sector and Awaab's Law for the sector — are being brought in later by regulations. Complys keeps the compliance evidence for the duties as they take effect; it does not manage tenancies or produce notices.
Does Complys handle tenancies, notices or evictions?
No. Complys is not a lettings or tenancy-management system and does not draft section 8 notices, manage tenancy agreements or advise on possession. It is the compliance-evidence side: it keeps your property safety certificates (gas, EICR, EPC), safety and maintenance records, and — as the new duties commence — the evidence you will need for the private rented sector database and the Decent Homes Standard. For legal steps on tenancies or possession, use a solicitor or a tenancy-management platform.
What is the private rented sector (PRS) database?
The Act provides for a private rented sector database on which landlords will be required to register themselves and their properties, with a linked portal for tenants and enforcement. It is being introduced by regulations rather than on the 1 May 2026 date, so the exact go-live and the detail of what must be recorded are set separately — check GOV.UK for the current position. Complys helps you keep the underlying property and compliance records in order so registration and evidence are straightforward when it opens.
What is the Decent Homes Standard for the private rented sector?
The Act extends a Decent Homes Standard to the private rented sector for the first time, and separately applies Awaab's Law-style timescales for dealing with serious hazards to the sector. These are being commenced by later regulations, so the standard's detail and dates are set separately from the 1 May 2026 provisions. Complys keeps the property condition, hazard and remedial-action evidence that demonstrates a home meets the standard and that hazards were dealt with in time.
Explore: landlord compliance software, property compliance, certificate expiry tracking, block management, and social housing.