Landlord law changes: what changed and what's next
The legal changes that affect private landlords in England and Scotland, in date order. What each one means, and what we changed in DocuTenant because of it.
The short answer
As at 3 October 2026, there are 11 changes coming up and 7 recent ones already in force. We check the law each month and add to this list. Dates for anything not yet in force can still move.
Coming up
- ScotlandComing
Damp and mould deadlines for Scottish landlords
Damp and mould joins the repairing standard. Once you know about a problem, you must investigate within 10 working days, send the tenant a written summary within 3, and start any repair within 5.
What we changed: We added a Scotland-only damp and mould written summary that follows the government guidance headings, and a damp and mould clause in our PRT tenancy agreement.
- ScotlandComing
Bigger wrongful termination awards, and a shorter succession rule
A landlord who misleads a tenant into leaving can be ordered to pay between 3 and 36 times the monthly rent, with the rent counted as at least £840. It was up to six months’ rent. People living with a tenant who dies can take over the tenancy after 6 months instead of 12.
What we changed: No document needed to change. We checked that none of ours quotes the old figures.
- EnglandComing
Supreme Court hears a deposit paperwork case
Lowe v Sutton’s Hospital in Charterhouse asks whether two mistakes in prescribed information matter: a clause number from an agreement that was not attached, and signing the covering letter instead of the certificate. The hearing is on 3 November. Judgment is awaited.
What we changed: Our prescribed information now has the landlord sign the certificate itself, and only quotes a clause number if you give one.
- EnglandComing
Electrical safety rules move to the latest wiring standard
Draft regulations update the electrical safety rules to BS 7671:2018+A4:2026. You do not need a new inspection while your current report is within five years and its next inspection date has not passed.
- EnglandComing
PRS Database registration opens
Registration opens region by region, starting with the West Midlands, with every region open by August 2027 and the last deadline on 14 November 2027. The regulations are in draft and a commencement order is still needed. The fee has been announced as £65 per property per year.
- ScotlandComing
New Scottish Notice to Leave and rent increase forms
Notices given on or after 1 April 2027 must use the new prescribed forms. The Notice to Leave moves to schedule 4, and tenants get 30 days, not 21, to challenge a rent increase. Use the current 2017 forms for any notice given before then.
What we changed: Our Notice to Leave and rent increase use the 2017 forms, which are right for notices given before 1 April 2027. We plan to switch to the new forms for notices given from that day.
- ScotlandComing
Rent officer capped at your figure, and one joint tenant can end the tenancy
For rent increase notices given from this date, a rent officer or tribunal cannot set a rent higher than you proposed. This is not a rent cap. And one joint tenant can end the tenancy for everyone, after giving the others and you 2 to 3 months’ written pre-notice.
- UKComing
Making Tax Digital threshold drops to £30,000
Landlords with more than £30,000 of qualifying income on their 2025 to 2026 tax return must use Making Tax Digital. The threshold falls again to £20,000 from April 2028.
- EnglandComing
Higher income tax rates on property income
Property income will be taxed at 22%, 42% and 47%, two points above the current rates. This applies in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, not Scotland. A Budget is due on 28 October 2026, so check again after it.
- EnglandProposed
Private Rented Sector Ombudsman
The Renters' Rights Act sets up an ombudsman for private landlords. It is not live yet, and landlord membership is expected to become mandatory in 2028.
- EnglandProposed
EPC rating of C for rented homes
The government has confirmed that rented homes will need an EPC of C or above by 1 October 2030, with a £10,000 cost cap. That is confirmed policy. The regulations are still to follow.
Already in force
Newest first.
- EnglandIn force
New Home Office guide to Right to Rent checks
There are three ways to check: original documents, the Home Office share code service, or a registered digital verification provider. Biometric residence permits are no longer accepted.
What we changed: Our Right to Rent check record now lists the three methods and the current documents, and no longer offers BRPs or EEA ID cards.
- EnglandIn force
Last day to use an old Section 21 notice
Claims on Section 21 notices given before 1 May 2026 had to be issued by 31 July 2026. A notice not used in time is spent, and the landlord then has one month to give the tenants the Information Sheet.
What we changed: The possession checklist on each property now explains the one-month Information Sheet duty after a lapsed notice.
- EnglandIn force
Possession court fees go up
The fee to issue a possession claim rose to £415, and a warrant of possession to £152. Some older pages still show the previous figures.
What we changed: The Section 8 notice builder now shows the current fees beside the court proceedings date. They are not printed on the notice itself.
- EnglandIn force
Deadline to give existing tenants the Information Sheet
Tenants whose tenancy began before 1 May 2026 had to be given the Government Information Sheet by 31 May 2026. If you missed it, give it now and keep proof. New tenancies get a written statement of terms instead.
What we changed: The possession checklist on each property now asks for the Information Sheet only where the tenancy began before 1 May 2026.
- EnglandIn force
Renters' Rights Act: ASTs end and Section 21 goes
Every assured shorthold tenancy became an assured periodic tenancy, and Section 21 no-fault notices ended. Rent can only rise by a Section 13 notice on Form 4A, once every 52 weeks, and possession needs one of 37 Section 8 grounds on Form 3A.
What we changed: We rewrote the England tenancy agreement as an assured periodic tenancy, rebuilt the Section 8 notice with all 37 grounds and the new notice periods, and rebuilt the rent increase notice around Form 4A.
- EnglandIn force
Deposit mistakes can now stop a Section 8 claim
The rule that an unprotected deposit blocked Section 21 now applies to Section 8. A court cannot make a possession order on most grounds until the deposit is protected and the prescribed information has been given. Grounds 7A and 14 are the exceptions.
What we changed: In October 2026 we rebuilt our deposit prescribed information against the 2007 Order, word for word, and fixed the penalty paragraph that still mentioned Section 21.
- UKIn force
Making Tax Digital starts for landlords over £50,000
Landlords with more than £50,000 of property and self-employment income must keep digital records and send HMRC an update every quarter. The figure is income before expenses, not profit.
This page is general guidance on the law as at 3 October 2026. It is not legal advice. DocuTenant drafts documents to current law, but you decide what to serve. For a specific case, speak to a solicitor.
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