Two overlapping action deadlines - the RRA Information Sheet service obligation by 31 May and new anti-discrimination contract terms in Wales from 1 June - dominate this week, alongside updated MEES guidance confirming the £10,000 cost cap.
Lead item
RRA Information Sheet: serve to all existing tenants by 31 May 2026 (Action, England - National)
All landlords in England with tenancies predating 1 May 2026 must serve the Renters' Rights Act Information Sheet on every tenant by 31 May 2026. The obligation was introduced by the Renters' Rights Act 2025 and confirmed in regulations laid before Parliament. Failure to serve is a civil penalty offence - fines of up to £7,000 apply - and non-compliance also invalidates any subsequent possession notice. The sheet was last updated 22 April 2026 and is available at gov.uk. Landlords who have already served the current version do not need to re-serve. The deadline is 18 days away. Source: https://landlordinsights.co.uk/updates/rra-information-sheet-serve-to-all-tenants-by-31-may
Also this week
Wales: new anti-discrimination contract terms in force from 1 June 2026 (Action, Wales)
The Renting Homes (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Wales) Regulations 2026 add two new fundamental terms to all periodic standard occupation contracts in Wales from 1 June 2026, prohibiting landlords from discriminating against contract-holders with children or in receipt of welfare benefits. Landlords must issue a written statement of the updated terms to all contract-holders no later than 14 June 2026. Updated model written statements are available from gov.wales. Non-compliance is a civil offence. Source: https://landlordinsights.co.uk/updates/wales-anti-discrimination-rules-for-landlords-from-1-june
MEES: landlord guidance updated - EPC Band C requirement and £10,000 cost cap confirmed (Review, England - National)
The government has updated its official MEES guidance for the private rented sector, confirming that all private rented properties in England must achieve EPC Band C by 2030 and that landlords will not be required to spend more than £10,000 per property to meet the standard. Where the Band C target cannot be achieved within the cost cap, a no-improvement-possible or high-cost exemption applies. A separate consultation on minimum energy efficiency standards closes 30 June 2026. Landlords with properties at Band D or below should begin assessing upgrade costs against the cap. Source: https://landlordinsights.co.uk/updates/mees-landlord-guidance-updated-to-confirm-epc-band-c-requirement-and-10-000-cost-cap-by-2030
English Devolution Act 2026: new mayoral powers over housing and planning (Review, England - National)
The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026 received Royal Assent on 29 April 2026 and was published on legislation.gov.uk on 11 May. It grants elected mayors in England - including the Mayor of London and combined authority mayors - new strategic powers over housing and planning, including mayoral development orders and infrastructure levies. Most provisions require commencement orders before taking effect. The Act also bans upwards-only rent review clauses in new and renewal commercial leases in England and Wales; commencement date TBC. Landlords and investors in mayoral authority areas should monitor secondary legislation. Source: https://landlordinsights.co.uk/updates/english-devolution-act-2026-mayoral-housing-powers
New RRO application form published: maximum award now two years' rent (Note, England - Tribunal)
The Tribunal Service has published an updated rent repayment order application form reflecting the Renters' Rights Act 2025 amendment that doubled the maximum RRO award from one to two years' rent. Tenants in England may now apply for up to 24 months' rent where a landlord is found guilty of a qualifying offence - including HMO licensing breaches, unlawful eviction, and breach of a banning order. This increased exposure has applied from 1 May 2026. Source: https://landlordinsights.co.uk/updates/new-rent-repayment-order-application-form-published-maximum-award-doubled-to-two-years-rent
Deadlines this week
31 May 2026 - RRA Information Sheet must be served on all existing tenants in England with tenancies predating 1 May 2026. Fines of up to £7,000 for non-compliance; failure also invalidates possession notices.
1 June 2026 - New anti-discrimination fundamental terms take effect in all periodic standard occupation contracts in Wales. Written statements must be issued to all contract-holders by 14 June 2026.
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.