The 31 July 2026 court deadline for pre-abolition Section 21 notices is now the most pressing compliance obligation, alongside Wales anti-discrimination rules now in force and the RRA Information Sheet deadline passed on 31 May.
Lead item
Transitional provisions mean that if a private landlord served a valid section 21 eviction notice before 1 May 2026, they must begin court possession proceedings on or before 31 July 2026. This is now the single most pressing compliance obligation for any landlord who served a section 21 notice in the weeks before abolition.
The new tenancy regime came into force on 1 May 2026, from which date assured shorthold tenancies in the private rented sector converted to periodic assured tenancies with no end date, section 21 evictions were abolished, and the reformed grounds for possession took effect. Landlords must now rely exclusively on statutory grounds under section 8.
Local authorities have a mandatory duty to enforce these rules, with significant new powers to issue fines ranging from ?7,000 to ?40,000 and to order rent repayments of up to 24 months.
Landlords who have not yet served the government's prescribed Information Sheet on existing tenants should be aware that the 31 May 2026 deadline has now passed; late service does not remove the risk of enforcement action.
Regulatory updates this week
Wales: anti-discrimination rules now in force. WSI 2026/6 brought Chapter 4 of Part 1 of the Renters' Rights Act 2025 into force in Wales on 1 June 2026, commencing provisions relating to the prohibition of discriminatory bans and restrictions in relation to occupation contracts, on the basis that a child would or may live with or visit a person at the dwelling, or that a person is or may be a benefits claimant.
All landlords in Wales are required to update their standard occupation contracts by formal variation by 14 June 2026, or include the fundamental terms in new standard occupation contracts from 1 June 2026. Failure to comply could lead to financial penalties and, in some circumstances, criminal proceedings.
Westminster: HMO additional licensing scheme renewed to 2031. Westminster City Council formally designated a renewed Additional HMO Licensing Scheme following a full public consultation and a Cabinet decision made on 16 March 2026, with the scheme designated on 21 April 2026, coming into effect on 31 August 2026 and running until 30 August 2031.
The renewed scheme will go live on 31 August 2026, and landlords who operate HMOs covered by the scheme will need to ensure they apply or hold a valid licence from this date. Operating a licensable HMO without a valid licence is a criminal offence. Current licences remain valid until their individual expiry dates.
Westminster: selective licensing in effect since November 2025. The City of Westminster introduced a selective licensing scheme effective from 24 November 2025, covering all wards except Pimlico South, St James's and Vincent Square. All private landlords in designated wards must hold a licence. Overseas landlords are required to appoint a UK-based managing agent. This scheme operates alongside the renewed HMO additional licensing designation above, meaning Westminster landlords may be subject to both requirements depending on property type and ward.
England: RRA Information Sheet deadline passed. Landlords were required to send existing tenants a copy of the government-produced Renters' Rights Act Information Sheet, either digitally or on paper, by 31 May 2026. A landlord who did not send the sheet by that date risks a fine of up to ?7,000; if the information sheet is not sent after a first fine, further penalties up to a maximum of ?40,000 may follow. Providing a link to the information sheet in an email or text message does not suffice; landlords must attach the leaflet as an unaltered PDF.
Wales: Renting Homes Act periodic review 2026. The Welsh Government published a periodic review of the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 in early 2026, consulting on possible amendments including additional tenant protections and changes to written statement requirements. The review examines the effectiveness of notice periods and fitness for human habitation standards. No amendments have been enacted at the time of publication; the outcome of the review is to be confirmed.
England: two-staircase rule for new blocks over 18 metres from September 2026. Changes to Approved Document B make second staircases mandatory in all new residential buildings over 18 metres in England from 30 September 2026. Projects that receive Building Regulations approval before that date will have a further 18 months to ensure compliance.
Deadlines in the next 30 days
- 14 June 2026 | Wales | Landlords must provide existing contract-holders with either an updated written statement or a statement of variation incorporating the new anti-discrimination fundamental terms introduced on 1 June 2026 under WSI 2026/6.
- 31 July 2026 | England | Court possession proceedings must be commenced for any valid section 21 notice served before 1 May 2026. After this date, outstanding section 21 notices cannot be used to apply to court.
One to watch
From late 2026, the new Private Rented Sector Database will start to be rolled out across regions in England. An unregistered landlord will lose access to key possession grounds and face penalties of up to ?40,000. No confirmed launch date or regional sequencing has been published. Landlords should monitor government announcements closely.
This content is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or professional advice. Always verify information against the original source and seek independent professional guidance before acting on any regulatory matter.