Aligning with the Renters’ Rights Act: why landlords should work with a letting agent

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The Renters’ Rights Act reshapes some of the core processes involved in letting a property in England. For landlords, alignment comes down to more than understanding individual rules. Tenancy structures, possession, rent increases, advertising and tenant requests all form part of a wider compliance picture. The real test is whether those responsibilities connect properly in day-to-day property management. An experienced letting agent can help bring those moving parts together.

Related: Family renters and affordability: How to raise rent fairly and reduce void risk under the new rules

Keep tenancy management aligned

Assured periodic tenancies sit at the centre of the Renters’ Rights Act framework, removing reliance on fixed tenancy end dates. A tenancy continues until the tenant chooses to leave or the landlord uses an appropriate legal route to seek possession.

This places greater emphasis on how the tenancy is managed throughout its duration. Documents, communication, rent records, repairs and inspection information all contribute to a clear management history. A letting agent can coordinate these responsibilities as part of everyday property management, helping landlords maintain a consistent approach across the tenancy.

Possession depends on the right route

Under the Renters’ Rights Act framework, possession relies on the appropriate Section 8 ground rather than Section 21. Grounds cover circumstances including selling the property, occupation by the landlord or qualifying family members, rent arrears and antisocial behaviour. Each route carries its own requirements, making the reason for possession and the evidence supporting it particularly important.

A notice is not simply an exit button. It is the first page of an evidence file. Clear records of rent payments, communication, reported problems and action taken can support the landlord’s position where possession becomes necessary. An experienced letting agent can help maintain those records and identify the appropriate process for the circumstances.

Good records support good management

Accurate documentation has value throughout a tenancy. Rent payments, repairs, inspections, tenant correspondence and attempts to resolve problems create a reliable account of how the property is managed. Keeping that information organised can reduce uncertainty and make it easier to establish the facts when an issue requires further action.

Rent increases follow a defined process

Rent increases under the Renters’ Rights Act framework use the statutory Section 13 procedure. Increases are generally limited to once within a twelve-month period, with the required notice provided to tenants. A tenant can also challenge a proposed increase where they believe it exceeds the open market rent.

This makes both procedure and local rental knowledge important. Understanding comparable rents can support a well-informed figure, while following the correct process helps keep the review compliant. A letting agent can assist with both sides, bringing together knowledge of the local market and the administration behind the increase.

Related: How rental income reporting will work under Making Tax Digital 

Compliance starts with property marketing

The Renters’ Rights Act also shapes how rental properties are advertised and how prospective tenants are treated. Written adverts require a clear asking rent, while landlords and agents cannot invite, encourage or accept offers above that figure. Applicants cannot be disadvantaged simply because they have children or receive benefits.

Compliance therefore begins before a tenancy agreement is signed. Property advertising, enquiries, applications and tenant selection need a consistent approach. Professional management can help connect each stage, reducing the possibility of one outdated practice creating problems elsewhere in the process.

Tenant requests require a clear approach

The Act gives tenants the ability to request permission to keep a pet, with landlords required to consider the request and provide a reasonable basis for any refusal. The wider principle is useful across property management. Tenant requests and landlord decisions benefit from a clear process, appropriate communication and accurate records. A consistent approach makes responsibilities easier to manage while providing a reliable account of how decisions are reached.

Related: Renting to pet owners: What Midlands landlords need to know in 2026

Look beyond the tenancy agreement

Alignment with the Renters’ Rights Act reaches further than the wording of one document. It involves the processes surrounding the property throughout the landlord and tenant relationship.

A landlord’s management approach should account for:

  • Managing assured periodic tenancies
  • Advertising properties and handling applications
  • Maintaining clear tenancy and maintenance records
  • Reviewing rent through the appropriate procedure
  • Responding correctly to tenant requests
  • Recording arrears, breaches and communication
  • Following the appropriate possession process

Why working with a letting agent matters

The complexity of regulatory compliance often sits in the connection between individual requirements. A landlord may understand each responsibility separately but still need to ensure the correct process, documentation and communication come together at the right stage.

A letting agent provides a central point for those responsibilities. Marketing, tenant communication, rent reviews, maintenance records and possession procedures can all sit within one management process. This helps reduce the risk of missed administrative steps or inconsistent practices while easing the day-to-day workload for landlords.

Make compliance part of everyday management

Effective alignment with the Renters’ Rights Act comes from treating compliance as part of property management rather than as a separate exercise. Clear processes, reliable records and consistent decision-making give landlords a stronger foundation for managing their responsibilities and protecting their property. For support with your rental property, contact your local Newton Fallowell team to discuss how our letting and property management services can help.

Arrange a free market appraisal

Whether you’re ready to sell, a landlord looking to rent or are just interested in how much your property might be worth, the most accurate appraisal of your property is with an appointment with one of our experienced local agents.

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