Compliance updates

Every change, in chronological order.

A public archive of regulatory changes affecting UK landlords. Subscribers receive these via the weekly Monday briefing and per-property alerts. The archive is free to read.

Every change, in chronological order.

May 2026

Scotland: Housing Act 2025 Commencement Timetable Set

Section 21 Transitional Court Deadline: 31 July 2026

SI 2026/324: Mandatory Written Statement for New Lets

Wales: Discrimination Ban Commences 1 June 2026

English Devolution Act 2026: Mayoral Housing Powers

RRA Information Sheet: Serve to All Tenants by 31 May

Wales: Anti-Discrimination Rules for Landlords from 1 June

MEES landlord guidance updated to confirm EPC Band C requirement and £10,000 cost cap by 2030

New rent repayment order application form published: maximum award doubled to two years' rent

Section 21: No New Notices from 1 May 2026

Rent Smart Wales fee schedule revised: landlord renewals affected from 1 July 2026

All assured shorthold tenancies convert to periodic tenancies from 1 May 2026

Civil penalties for housing offences increased to £40,000 under Renters' Rights Act

How to Rent guide: May 2026 edition published

Private Rented Sector Landlord Ombudsman to launch after database rollout

PRS Database to launch from late 2026: mandatory registration for all private landlords

Rent bidding banned and advance rent capped at one month under Renters' Rights Act

Rent increases limited to once per year via Section 13 notice from 1 May 2026

Rent repayment orders extended to two years' rent under Renters' Rights Act

Scotland makes it a criminal offence for landlords to discriminate against tenants with children or on benefits

Section 21 no-fault evictions abolished: new possession grounds take effect from 1 May 2026

Tenant right to request a pet now in force: landlords cannot unreasonably refuse

Tribunal Procedure (Property Chamber) amended for RRA 2025 appeals

Tribunal Procedure (Property Chamber) amended to bring RRA 2025 appeals within scope

April 2026

Hackney selective licensing scheme designation extended for a further five years

Wales bans landlords from refusing tenants because they have children or receive benefits

MEES: minimum EPC C consultation opens; submissions close 30 June 2026

How to Rent guide updated: April 2026 edition

Housing (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2 amendments published

Renters' Rights Act commencement regulations made: 1 May 2026 confirmed as Phase 1 start date

First-tier Tribunal decision: rent repayment order on unlicensed HMO

Newham property licensing fee revision consultation closed

Awaab's Law: implementation memo for private rented sector

Renting Homes (Wales) Act: periodic review summary published

Renters' Rights Act Information Sheet published: landlords must send to all tenants by 31 May 2026

March 2026

Building Safety Act: secondary regulations laid affecting leaseholder landlords

Camden Article 4 direction: HMO conversion restriction confirmed

Tenant Hardship Loan Fund: operational update from Scottish Government

Decent Homes Standard: government consultation response published

Building Safety Levy to take effect from 1 October 2026: new tax on residential developments

Two-staircase rule for new residential buildings over 18 metres takes effect 30 September 2026

February 2026

Hackney launches new additional and selective licensing schemes from 1 May 2026

Harrow Council approves six new selective licensing areas for phased rollout in 2026

January 2026

Renters' Rights Act guidance for landlords published on GOV.UK

Rent Smart Wales fee schedule revised for 2026: registration and licensing fees updated

December 2025

Local council investigatory powers strengthened under Renters' Rights Act, in force from 27 December 2025

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax launches for landlords with income over £50,000 from April 2026

Scottish Government confirms private residential tenancy reforms: consultation on further tenant protections

November 2025

Westminster introduces borough-wide selective licensing scheme from November 2025

Decent Homes Standard to apply to private rented sector from 2035

Government publishes Renters' Rights Act implementation roadmap: confirms 1 May 2026 start date

MEES consultation confirms EPC Band C target for private rented properties by 2030

Welsh Government consults on Renting Homes Act amendments and additional tenant protections

October 2025

Awaab's Law comes into force for social housing: private rented sector extension confirmed for later date

Renters' Rights Act 2025 receives Royal Assent: landmark reform of private renting in England

September 2025

Camden borough-wide additional HMO licensing confirmed for properties with three or more tenants

Southwark selective licensing scheme covers designated wards: check if your property is affected

August 2025

Newham borough-wide selective licensing scheme remains in force until 2028

January 2025

All private landlords in Northern Ireland must register with the Landlord Registration Scheme

All private landlords in Northern Ireland must register with the Landlord Registration Scheme

Private Tenancies (NI) Order 2006 sets minimum notice periods and tenancy conditions

Tenancy deposits in Northern Ireland must be protected in an approved scheme within 28 days

Private Tenancies (NI) Order 2006 sets minimum notice periods and tenancy conditions for Northern Ireland landlords

Tenancy deposits in Northern Ireland must be protected in an approved scheme within 28 days