Renters’ Rights Bill 2026: Landlord Survival Guide – 5 Steps to Prepare Before Section 21 Goes

admin-cdn2 weeks ago

0 0 4 minutes read

Renters' Rights Bill 2026: Landlord Survival Guide – 5 Steps to Prepare Before Section 21 Goes

The Renters’ Rights Bill has not yet become law, but it is progressing through Parliament and is expected to take effect from next year. Landlords now have a short window to prepare before the key changes begin.

Section 21 is expected to be abolished once the Bill becomes law. Possession will move to Section 8 grounds only. A national landlord and property register is planned, alongside mandatory redress scheme membership and tougher penalties for non-compliance. None of this should be a surprise. All of it demands preparation.

The goal is simple. Get ready now so you stay compliant, protect your income and keep control of your portfolio when the new rules start.

What the Renters Rights Bill is proposing

Before we get into the survival plan, it is important to be clear that these changes are proposed, not yet final. However, all current government statements and parliamentary progress indicate that these reforms are expected to pass.

Here are the key proposals in the Bill:

Proposed abolition of Section 21
If passed, Section 21 no-fault evictions will be removed. Landlords would need to regain possession using Section 8 legal grounds only.
Proposed national landlord and property register
A new PRS Database is planned. Every landlord may be required to register themselves and each rental property within around 28 days of launch.
Proposed mandatory redress scheme membership
Even self-managing landlords could be legally required to join a government-approved redress scheme.
Proposed restriction on upfront rent
Landlords may only be allowed to request one month’s rent upfront unless the tenant voluntarily offers more.
Proposed stronger penalties
Local councils would have more enforcement power, including rent repayment orders of up to 24 months’ rent.

This Bill is designed to increase regulation across the private rented sector. It is not law yet, but it is moving forward. The smartest landlords are preparing now.

5-Step Renters Rights Bill Survival Plan

Step 1: Organise compliance now or get caught later

The PRS landlord register will expose which landlords are compliant and which are not. Get your documentation organised now so you are ready the moment registration opens. Create a digital compliance folder for every property you own. Include tenancy agreements, EPC, gas and electrical certificates, deposit protection, Right to Rent checks and repair logs. When enforcement increases, organised landlords will be safe. Disorganised landlords will be targeted.

Step 2: Join a landlord redress scheme early

Redress scheme membership is expected to become mandatory under the Bill. Do not wait. Join early and reduce risk now. If you own property in multiple limited companies (SPVs), each will likely need its own registration. Missing this requirement could block future possession claims and may trigger penalties once enforcement begins.

Step 3: Strengthen tenant selection before Section 21 is removed

Once Section 21 is gone, removing a problematic tenant will take longer and require evidence under Section 8. That means tenant selection becomes your first layer of protection. Tighten referencing standards now. Check affordability properly. Ask for guarantors when needed. Reject risky applications. A bad tenant will cost far more than a short void period. Tenant quality will protect your cash flow under the new rules.

Step 4: Prepare for Section 8 possession now

Section 8 will become the only legal route to regain possession once Section 21 is removed. That means your paperwork must be watertight. Without clear rent records, breach evidence and legal notices, landlords will lose in court. Put systems in place now:

Use written arrears processes
Store dated rent statements
Keep email and message logs
Record tenancy breaches

If you self-manage, tighten your procedures. If you use an agent, make sure they can prove they have a structured Section 8 process. Without evidence, you will get stuck.

Step 5: Audit your letting agent before the law changes

If you use a letting agent, you are still legally responsible for compliance. Do not assume your agent is prepared. Ask them how they will manage PRS registration, Section 8 possession, guarantor policies and tenant compliance records. If they cannot answer clearly, find one who can. Weak agents will put landlords at serious risk once the Bill becomes law.

Do not wait for enforcement – prepare now or pay later

Most landlords underestimate the impact of this Bill. The biggest risk is not the legislation itself. The biggest risk is doing nothing and reacting too late. Preparation now will save time, reduce cost and prevent fines later. Landlords who get organised in advance will continue to profit. Landlords who ignore this will get trapped in legal delays.

Watch: Complete Renters Rights Bill Training Replay

If you want a full breakdown of exactly how to prepare before this Bill becomes law, I recorded a Renters Rights Bill Survival Training with eviction expert Paul Shamplina and lettings compliance specialist Susie Crolla.

We covered:

What the final version of the Bill is likely to include
Exactly how eviction will work without Section 21
How to protect rent and prevent arrears under new rules
How to future proof your portfolio and stay compliant

This is essential if you want to stay in control when these changes begin. If you ignore this, it could cost you months of lost rent later. Preparation is always cheaper than eviction.