Renters’ Rights Act Changes for Landlords: Why Guaranteed Rent Is Becoming the Safer Option
- Apex Housing Solutions
- 5 minutes ago
- 2 min read
How the Renters’ Rights Act Affects Landlords - and Where Guaranteed Rent Fits In
The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 is not a minor tweak to housing law. It fundamentally changes how landlords operate from 1 May 2026.
If you’re a landlord asking “what actually changes for me?” - here is the straight answer.
1. Assured Shorthold Tenancies (ASTs) Are Ending
From 1 May 2026, ASTs will be abolished.
All tenancies will automatically become periodic. That means:
No more fixed terms
Tenants can give two months’ notice at any point
No guaranteed 6 or 12 month security
For landlords, this increases turnover risk and makes long-term planning harder.
Under a guaranteed rent agreement, this change does not affect the commercial contract between you and Apex. We remain the tenant. Your agreement length remains fixed.
2. Section 21 Is Being Abolished
“ No fault ” evictions are going.
After April 2026, possession can only be obtained using revised Section 8 grounds.
That means:
More documentation
Clearer legal thresholds
Longer possession timelines if things go wrong
If you rent property to the council through Apex, we manage any possession issues internally. You continue to receive rent. Legal costs and court processes sit with us, not you.
3. Rent Increases Are More Controlled
The Act introduces tighter rules around rent increases, including:
Limits on frequency
Prescribed notice periods
Restrictions on bidding above asking rent
For landlords operating independently, this means reduced flexibility.
Under guaranteed rent, your income is agreed contractually at the outset. You are not relying on individual tenant negotiations.
4. Stronger Property Standards
The Act links closely with:
Awaab’s Law
The reformed Decent Homes Standard
Expanded enforcement powers for local authorities
Maximum civil penalties are increasing to £40,000 in some cases.
If you want to rent property to the council, compliance is non-negotiable. Licensing, EICRs, EPCs and safety standards must already be in place.
Apex will not onboard non-compliant properties. But we will help landlords meet the required standards.
What This Means in Practice
The direction of travel is clear:
Less flexibility for landlords
More tenant protection
Higher compliance expectations
Greater enforcement risk
This does not mean landlords should exit the market. It means landlords should operate in a more structured way.
That is why guaranteed rent is increasingly attractive.
You receive:
Fixed monthly income
No void periods
No tenant arrears risk
No day-to-day tenant management
Support with compliance
The legal environment may be changing. Your income does not have to.
If you’re considering how to structure your portfolio under the Renters’ Rights Act, or looking to rent property to the council through one of London’s established guaranteed rent providers, speak to us.
📞 0203 0304 241
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