Renters' Rights Act 2026
Guidance for Charities & Faith Groups
The Renters' Rights Act represents the most significant reform of the private rented sector in decades.
From 1 May 2026, the way residential tenancies operate in England will change fundamentally. If your organisation provides housing, you need to understand what is changing and act now.
Key provisions take effect from 1 May 2026 for the private rented sector in England.
Headline Changes
What is changing from 1 May 2026
Section 21 'no-fault' evictions are abolished
Landlords must rely on specific statutory grounds to recover possession. The familiar Section 21 route will no longer be available.
Fixed-term tenancies are abolished
Assured shorthold tenancies are replaced by assured periodic tenancies. Fixed terms will no longer be possible for new tenancies.
Changes to rent increases and rent in advance
Tighter rules and statutory processes for rent increases. Restrictions on the amount of rent that can be required in advance.
Stronger protections and enforcement
Increased scrutiny, evolving ombudsman and database framework. Compliance expectations are tightening significantly.
Mandatory Information Sheet
Landlords (or their agents) must provide the Government's official Information Sheet to certain tenants where required, by 31 May 2026. Failure to comply may affect your ability to recover possession.
Why This Matters for Charities
The specific risks for charities and faith groups
Charities often operate as head-tenant, sub-landlord and service provider. Default AST models may not work as intended after May 2026, and non-compliance carries financial and reputational risk.
Charities using ASTs by default will need to rethink how residents are housed
Possession routes will change — planning ahead is essential
Documentation and compliance requirements are tightening
Good intentions are not a defence against regulatory enforcement
Trustees carry personal responsibility for compliance failures
Action Required
What charities should do now
Identify affected schemes
Map all properties where your organisation provides housing or grants occupation rights to residents.
Review tenancy and licence structures
Assess whether current AST or licence arrangements will work under the new regime from May 2026.
Plan for possession and compliance
Understand the new possession grounds and ensure your organisation can comply with tighter requirements.
Update templates and policies
Review and update tenancy agreements, licences, policies and procedures before the new rules take effect.
How we can help
We have landlord and tenant specialists who advise charities and faith-based organisations on supported housing, tenancy structuring and compliance preparation. We offer a fixed-fee Readiness Review specifically designed for charities providing housing.
The Renters' Rights Act and Charities: Key Considerations
The Renters' Rights Act 2024 has significant implications for charities and faith-based organisations that provide residential accommodation. Whether your organisation operates supported housing, provides accommodation to beneficiaries, sub-lets under a head-lease, or uses assured shorthold tenancies (ASTs) for any purpose, you need to understand how the new regime affects you.
From 1 May 2026, all assured shorthold tenancies in England are converted to periodic tenancies. Fixed-term ASTs no longer exist. This means that if your organisation uses ASTs to provide accommodation — for example, to staff, volunteers, or beneficiaries — those tenancies will automatically become periodic from 1 May 2026. You will no longer be able to end a tenancy simply by allowing the fixed term to expire.
For charities operating supported housing, the position is more complex. Supported housing that is exempt from the Housing Act 1988 (for example, because it is provided by a registered social landlord or because the occupier shares facilities with the landlord) may not be directly affected by the Renters' Rights Act. However, many charities use a mix of tenancy and licence arrangements, and the boundary between the two is not always clear. A thorough review of your occupancy arrangements is essential.
The new written information duties — which require landlords to provide specified information to tenants before they sign — apply to all new tenancies from 1 May 2026. For charities that regularly let properties, this means reviewing and updating your tenancy documentation and processes before the deadline.
PDA Law has specialist expertise in advising charities and faith-based organisations on housing law compliance. Our fixed-fee Readiness Review is designed to help your organisation understand its obligations and prepare for the new regime. Contact us on 01244 757352 for a confidential initial discussion.