LONDON Private landlords across England are being urged to prepare for sweeping regulatory change after the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) confirmed the first phase of the Renters’ Rights Act will take effect on 1 May 2026.
The association has announced a series of free online webinar in January and February aimed at helping landlords understand and adapt to reforms widely described as the most significant overhaul of the private rented sector in a generation.
The new legislation is expected to fundamentally reshape landlord–tenant relationships, ending fixed-term tenancies, abolishing Section 21 “no-fault” evictions, and introducing new compliance standards across the sector.
Webinars Timed Ahead of Major Legal Shift
According to the NRLA, the webinars will provide practical, legally focused guidance as landlords face new responsibilities under the Act. All sessions will be held on Zoom from 11am to 12 noon and are open to landlords nationwide.
The first briefing, scheduled for 7 January 2026, will focus on the student rental market. Supported by RentGuarantor, the session will examine how the new rules are expected to affect student landlords, including compliance challenges arising from the transition to periodic tenancies.
A second session on 21 January will address one of the most contentious aspects of the reforms: pets in rental properties. Under the new framework, landlords will be required to consider pet requests and will be prohibited from unreasonably refusing consent. The webinar will explore risk management, property protection and best-practice approaches.
The final briefing, taking place on 4 February, will take a broader view of tenancy management under the new regime. Topics will include operating without fixed terms, responding to antisocial behaviour, and ensuring new tenancies are set up correctly within the revised legal structure.
Sector Braces for Structural Change
The NRLA has warned that many landlords remain unclear about how the reforms will work in practice, particularly as the removal of assured shorthold tenancies is expected to alter possession processes and long-established management practices.
Housing analysts say the reforms could accelerate exits from the sector among smaller landlords, while increasing compliance pressure on those who remain. At the same time, the government argues the changes are necessary to provide greater security and stability for renters.
With less than six months remaining before implementation, industry bodies are increasingly urging landlords to engage early with guidance and training.
Registration Now Open
Places on all webinars are free and can be booked directly through the NRLA website. The association says early engagement will be essential for landlords seeking to avoid disruption or legal risk once the new rules come into force.
Editing by M10News Housing Desk | Contact: housing@m10news.com
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