19 Days to the Renters' Rights Act: Final Preparation & 2026 Outlook

The Final Countdown: 19 Days Left

There are 19 days until the Renters' Right Act. This is the final countdown. This is the time for the final preparation. By now, you should be preparing to convert fixed-term tenancies to periodic , downloading the government information sheet, and aligning your rent increase notices with Section 13 rules.

If you're not doing these things, you're behind. And 2026 bring even more challenges: MTD, RRA, and EPC reforms. Professional management brings peace of mind through it all.

What You Should Be Doing Now: The Final 19 Days

What should you be doing these final 19 days? Here's your final preparation checklist.

Task 1: Convert Fixed-Term Tenancies to Periodic (Days 1-5)

First, prepare to convert fixed-term tenancies to periodic. This is critical. After 1 May, most fixed-term tenancies automatically convert to periodic.

What this means:

• Fixed terms end

• Tenancies become periodic (month-to-month)

• Tenants have more flexibility

• You need retention strategy

What to do:

• Review all fixed-term tenancies

• Identify conversion dates

• Prepare tenant communications

• Prepare for periodic tenancy procedures

• Plan retention strategy

Why it matters:

• Automatic conversion happens 1 May

• Tenants will know they can leave easily

• You need strong retention strategy

• Good communication is essential

Task 2: Download Government Information Sheet (Days 1-3)

Second, download the government information sheet. This is mandatory. You must provide this to all tenants.

What this is:

• Official government prescribed information

• Explains tenant rights under new rules

• Explain landlords responsibilities

• Explain dispute resolution procedures

• Explains how to contact authorities

What to find it:

• GOV.UK website

• Search " prescribed information"

• Download the PDF

• Save multiple copies

What to do:

• Download the information sheet

• Review it carefully

• Prepare to provide to all tenants

• Prepare tenant communication

Why it matters:

• Mandatory to provide to tenants

• Failure to provide is breach of law

• Tenants need to understand their rights

• Demonstrate professionalism

Task 3: Align Rent Increase Notices with Section 13 Rules (Days 3-10)

Third, align your rent increase notices with Section 13 rules. This is critical. Section 13 has specific requirements for rent increases.

Section 13 requirements:

• One month notice minimum

• Prescribed form required

• Prescribed information required

• Once per year only

• Reasonable increase only

What to do:

• Review your current rent increase procedures

• Update procedures to comply with Section 13

• Prepare Section 13 notice template

• Include all prescribed information

• Train team on new procedures

Why it matters:

• Non-compliant notices are invalid

• Invalid notices mean no rent increase

• Disputes can be expensive

• Compliance is non-negotiable

Task 4: Prepare Tenant Communications (Days 5-15)

Fourth, prepare tenant communications. Clear communication is essential. Tenants need to understand what's changing.

What to communicate:

• Tenancy is converting to periodic (if applicable)

• New tenant rights and responsibilities

• New landlord procedures

• How to contact you

• What to expect

How to communicate:

• Email to all tenants

• Follow up with phone call (if needed)

• Provide information sheet

• Provide updated tenancy agreement

• Provide contact information

Why it matters:

• Clear communication reduces disputes

• Tenants appreciate transparency

• Professional communication builds trust

• Demonstrates compliance

Task 5: Verify All Documentation (Days 10-19)

Fifth, verify all documentation. Make sure everything is an order.

What to verify:

• Tenancy agreements are compliant

• Deposit protection is in place

• Prescribed information is prepared

• Tenant information is current

• Procedures are documented

• Team is trained

How to verify:

• Create verification checklist

• Check each item

• Fix any issues

• Sign off on readiness

Why it matters:

• Documentation protects you

• Verification ensures compliance

• Organized documentation reduces stress

• Shows you're ready

The 2026 Challenge: MTD, RRA, and EPC Reforms

But 2026 brings even more challenges. Three major regulatory changes are coming: Making Tax Digital (MTD), Renters' Rights Act (RRA), and EPC reforms.

Challenge 1: Making Tax Digital (MTD)

Making Tax Digital becomes mandatory on 6 April 2026 for landlords with £50,000+gross rental income.

What this means:

• Digital record-keeping mandatory

• Quarterly tax updates required

• Software integration required

• Bank account linking required

Timeline:

• 6 April 2026: MTD goes live

• 7 August 2026: First quarterly update due

• Ongoing: Quarterly updates required

What to do now:

• Understand MTD requirements

• Choose MTD-compatible software

• Organize digital records

• Link bank account

• Train team

Challenge 2: Renters' Right Act (RRA) Full Implementation

The Renters' Right Act goes live 1 May 2025, but full implementation continues through 2026.

What this means:

• Periodic tenancies are standard

• Section 21 is gone

• Section 8 is only eviction route

• Section 13 governs rent increases

• New tenant protection apply

Timeline:

1 May 2025: RRA goes live

2025-2026: Transition period

2026: Full implementation

What to do now:

• Understand Section 8 procedures

• Understand Section 13 procedures

• Prepare for periodic tenancies

• Build retention strategy

• Document all procedures

Challenge 3: EPC Reforms

EPC reforms are coming. New multi-metric EPCs will assess fabric performance, heating efficiency, smart readiness, and energy cost.

What this means:

• New EPC metrics coming

• Energy efficiency becomes more important

• Property improvements may be required

• Higher standards expected

Timeline:

• End of 2026: Metrics confirmed

• 2026-2028: Transition period

• 2028-2029: Full implementation

What to do now:

• Assess current EPC ratings

• Plan energy efficiency improvements

• Budget for improvements

• Prioritize improvements

• Start implementation

Professional Management: Peace of Mind Through It All

This is where professional management comes in. Professional management brings peace of mind through all these changes.

What Professional Management Provides

Professional management handles:

• Compliance management (RRA, MTD, EPC)

• Tenant management (screening, communication, disputes)

• Property management (maintenance, inspections)

• Financial management (rent, collection, accounting, MTD)

• Legal management (Section 8, Section 13, disputes)

• Documentation (records, procedures, evidence)

.

The Benefit of Professional Management

Benefit 1: Compliance Assurance

Professional management ensures compliance with all regulations. No missed deadlines. No non-compliant procedures. No penalties.

Benefit 2: Reduced Stress

Professional management handles the complexity. You focus on strategy and growth. Less stress. Better sleep.

Benefit 3: Better Outcomes

Professional management gets better outlines. Higher occupancy. Lower turnover. Better tenant quality. Higher rental income.

Benefit 4: Cost Savings

Professional management saves money through:

• Reduced turnover costs

• Reduced maintenance costs

• Reduced dispute costs

• Reduced penalty costs

• Reduced legal costs

Benefit 5: Time Savings

Professional management saves time. You don't spend hours on compliance, procedures, and documentation. You focus on what matters

Benefit 6: Growth Opportunity

Professional management enables growth. With systems in place, you can grow your portfolio confidently. You can scale.

The Cost of Professional Management vs. The Cost of Not Having It

What's the cost of professional management? What's the cost of not having it?

Cost of Professional Management:

• Typical cost: £100-300 per property per month

• Annual cost (5 properties): £6,000-18,000

• Annual cost (10 properties): 12,000-36,000

Cost of Not Having Professional Management

• Compliance penalties: £5,000- 50,000+

• Dispute costs: £1,000- 10,000+

• Turnover costs: £500- 2,000 per tenant

• Maintenance emergencies: £500- 5,000+

• Lost rent (vacancies): £500- 2,000 per month

• Stress and burnout: Priceless

The financial case is clear. Professional management pays for itself.

Your Final 19 Days: Hour by Hour

Here's your final 19 days, broken down:

Days 1-5: Convert and Download

• Convert fixed-term tenancies to periodic

• Download government information sheet

• Prepare tenant communications

• Time: 10-15 hours

Days 5-10: Align and Prepare

• Align rent increase notices with Section 13

• Prepare Section 13 templates

• Prepares tenant communications

• Time: 8-12 hours

Days 10-15: Communicate and Verify

• Send tenant communications

• Follow up with tenants

• Verify documentation

• Time: 5-8 hours

Days 15-19: Final Verification and Readiness

• Final documentation check

• Final team brief

• Final verification

• Confirm readiness

• Time: 3-5 hours

Total time: 26-40 hours over 19 days

That's about 2 hours per day. That's achievable. That's doable.

The Bottom Line: Prepare Now, Thrive Later

There are 19 days until the Renters' Right Act. Use them wisely. Prepare to convert fixed-term tenancies. Download the information sheet. Align your procedures with Section 13 rules.

And look ahead to 2026. MTD, RRA, and EPC reforms are coming. Professional management brings peace of mind through it all.

Landlords who prepare now will thrive. Landlords who don't will struggle.

Be ready.

Need Help Preparing?

If you need help preparing for the Renters' Right Act and 2026 challenges, we can help. We provide:

• Final preparation support

• Documentation verification

• Tenant communication support

• Procedure alignments

• Team training

• Professional management

• Compliance assurance

• 2026 planning

Our goal is to help you prepare and thrive.

Contact us on WhatsApp: +44 330 341 3063

Or visit comfortandco.uk to learn more

Let's get ready for the Renters' Rights Act and beyond.