Renters' Rights Act 2026
Readiness Review
From 1 May 2026, the way residential tenancies operate in England will change fundamentally.
If your organisation provides housing, uses ASTs or licences, sub-lets under a head-lease, or operates supported or homelessness accommodation, you should review your position before the new regime takes effect.
Fixed-fee, defined scope — no open-ended billing.
What Is the Readiness Review?
A structured, fixed-scope legal health-check
The Readiness Review is a structured, fixed-scope legal health-check tailored for charities and faith-based organisations that provide housing. It is designed to give you a clear picture of your legal position and what you need to do before 1 May 2026.
What the Review Covers
Five areas of review
Scheme and property mapping
Identifying your organisation's roles and property footprint — where you act as tenant, landlord, sub-landlord or service provider.
Tenancy and licence structure review
Assessing current AST and licence arrangements, identifying accidental tenancy risk, and reviewing whether structures are appropriate.
Renters' Rights Act impact assessment
Reviewing the impact of the Act on possession routes, rent arrangements and documentation requirements for your specific situation.
Information Sheet and documentation compliance
Advising on who needs to receive the mandatory Information Sheet, when and how — and reviewing current documentation.
Licensing and regulatory risk flag
Identifying HMO and other licensing exposure, and flagging enforcement risk areas that require attention.
What You Receive
Clear, actionable output
Written summary
A clear written summary of risks and priorities, tailored to your organisation.
Tailored recommendations
Recommendations specific to your housing model and legal position.
Next steps
Clear options for next steps — what to do, in what order, and what it will cost.
What the review does not include
- Drafting new tenancy agreements or licences
- Charity regulatory advice or Charity Commission matters
- Welfare benefits advice
- Representation in disputes or possession proceedings
Fixed-fee and proportionate
The Readiness Review is offered on a fixed-fee basis with a defined scope. No open-ended billing — you know what you will pay before we start. See our Fees & Pro Bono page for more on our approach to affordability.
Why a Readiness Review Matters for Your Organisation
The Renters' Rights Act 2024 represents the most significant reform of residential letting in England for a generation. From 1 May 2026, the legal framework governing residential tenancies changes fundamentally — and organisations that provide housing need to be prepared well in advance.
A Readiness Review is a structured legal assessment of your organisation's current housing arrangements, tenancy documentation and compliance processes — measured against the requirements of the new regime. It identifies gaps, risks and actions required before 1 May 2026, and provides a clear, prioritised action plan.
For charities and faith-based organisations, the review covers: the classification of your occupancy arrangements (tenancy vs. licence; assured vs. exempt); the impact of the abolition of Section 21 and fixed-term ASTs on your current arrangements; the new written information duties and what documentation you need to provide before tenants sign; the new rent increase process and how it affects your current rent review provisions; and any specific issues arising from your organisation's structure, funding arrangements or regulatory obligations.
The review is conducted by our specialist housing and charity law team, and is offered on a fixed-fee basis with a defined scope. We provide a written report with clear, actionable recommendations — not a lengthy legal opinion that requires further interpretation. Our aim is to give you the confidence to proceed into the new regime with your compliance obligations fully understood and addressed.
To request a Readiness Review or to discuss your organisation's specific circumstances, call us on 01244 757352 or contact us online. We offer a free initial discussion to help you understand whether a review is right for your organisation.