0:02 AM, 9th January 2026, About 6 days ago 86
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The government has confirmed councils will be able to act against unenforceable clauses in tenancy agreements under the Renters’ Rights Act.
From 1 May 2026, all fixed-term tenancies will be banned and turn into periodic tenancies.
The government also warn landlords must provide prescribed information, a summary of tenancy and deposit details, or face a £7,00 fine.
In response to a written question from Conservative MP Andrew Rosindell asking whether the Government would criminalise unenforceable clauses in tenancy agreements, Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook confirmed that such clauses will not be treated as criminal offences.
However, landlords could still face civil financial penalties enforced by local councils.
Mr Pennycook said: “Upon commencement on 1 May 2026, the relevant provisions of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 will require landlords to provide their tenants with certain information about the terms of the tenancy in writing.
“Landlords will be able to comply with this requirement by including the information in a written tenancy agreement. Landlords who fail to provide the prescribed information could face a fine of up to £7,000 from their local authority.
“The Renters’ Rights Act also provides local authorities with powers to act against unenforceable clauses, such as requiring a tenant to sign a fixed term.”
Under the Renters’ Rights Act, councils now have the power to carry out surprise inspections, including entering premises where tenancy records are kept with or without a warrant.
Councils can also compel landlords, letting agents, and third parties (e.g., prop tech companies, banks, accountants, contractors) to provide documents and information related to housing compliance.
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When will landlord rights be finally recognised?
F1_Fan
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Member Since December 2018 - Comments: 7
15:53 PM, 9th January 2026, About 5 days ago
Government priorities are all wrong; go after criminals, not LAW-ABIDING WEALTH GENERATORS!
What a mad world we live in: if you are a burglar, criminal or drug dealer, the Gov needs a warrant to enter your premises, but if you are a landlord –
Under the Renters’ Rights Act, councils now have the power to carry out surprise inspections, including entering premises where tenancy records are kept with or without a warrant.
WHAT A CRAZY COUNTRY THE UK IS TURNING INTO.
David
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Member Since April 2018 - Comments: 258
16:01 PM, 9th January 2026, About 5 days ago
The irony is that until the RRA some councils couldn’t give a damn about inspecting private landlord’s properties following tenants complaints and certainly were not interested in their own tenants .Will be interesting to see if they clean their own house.
DavidM
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Member Since December 2025 - Comments: 38
16:17 PM, 9th January 2026, About 5 days ago
Reply to the comment left by Judith Wordsworth at 09/01/2026 – 14:56
Judith
Don’t know about the individual case Im sure some council officers or councils are overzealous but fines can get overturned if disproportionate
See
https://roomslocal.co.uk/blog/investigation-reveals-how-landlords-5000-licensing-fine-was-quashed
Reluctant Landlord
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Member Since September 2018 - Comments: 3386 - Articles: 5
19:40 PM, 9th January 2026, About 5 days ago
Reply to the comment left by DavidM at 09/01/2026 – 13:06
I cant see the NRLA new RRA ‘compliant’ TA’s being any different (for context) as they are now.
I use their current template but have added fair and reasonable clauses as time, knowledge and experience has progressed. All are fair.
I shall no doubt be doing the same when and IF I let a property post May 1st that has to be complaint to RRA legislation (I may opt for other tenancy types to avoid the RRA in total)
Peter G
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Member Since March 2018 - Comments: 175
21:00 PM, 9th January 2026, About 5 days ago
In view of all the above comments and for landlords to defend themselves against rabid council officials, will letting agents and landlords now need to send existing tenants a new Tenancy Agreement (replacing the existing AST) using wording that excludes questionable clauses, and includes all the RRA and local council recommended wording?
Teganu
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Member Since January 2026 - Comments: 1
22:31 PM, 9th January 2026, About 5 days ago
Reply to the comment left by DGM at 09/01/2026 – 10:44
Are there any landlords who are not selling up, despite all these new rules coming in from May 1st 26.
I rent my property out to a good tenant, yet everyday l read more and more stuff going against landlords!
Do l serve my tenant with a section 21 before May 1st? Or do l carry on renting the property out to her!
I don’t have a mortgage on this property, l guess this is one less worry!
David
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Member Since April 2018 - Comments: 258
23:14 PM, 9th January 2026, About 5 days ago
Reply to the comment left by Peter G at 09/01/2026 – 21:00
I really hope not as these Agreements were drafted pre RRA.
DavidM
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Member Since December 2025 - Comments: 38
0:34 AM, 10th January 2026, About 5 days ago
Reply to the comment left by Peter G at 09/01/2026 – 21:00
Peter G
No my understanding is that those clauses in existing contracts become unenforceable, but LLs and tenants don’t have the expense and inconvenience of ending existing tenancy agreements and starting new ones.
“Landlords won’t need to change or re-issue existing written tenancy agreements. Instead, they will need to provide tenants with a copy of this government-produced information sheet, explaining how the reforms may have affected the tenancy.”
So.
if you had a 12month ast signed in march 26, from 1 may it no longer applies and it becomes a rolling/periodic tenancy instead
If contract said 1 month notice minimum for tenant that becomes 2 months due to the legislation
Break clauses become invalid
Clauses about rent increasing (eg automatically by CPI) become invalid
Clauses requiring rent in advance become invalid
And if you signed a new tenancy agreement with these sort of clauses it would be an offence
There is a set of guides about the changes, see
Government gives landlords 24 different guides to Renters Rights Act https://share.google/oUY4OKPite1vmv4k9
Peter G
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Member Since March 2018 - Comments: 175
9:33 AM, 10th January 2026, About 5 days ago
You’re missing my point. If councils are free to fine Landlords for having unenforceable clauses in their contracts, then saying “it’s ok to leave these unenforceable clauses in the contract because we’re not trying to apply them” is no longer a viable defence. You will still get fined. The only recourse is to replace the contract with one the council cannot attack.
DavidM
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Member Since December 2025 - Comments: 38
9:45 AM, 10th January 2026, About 5 days ago
Reply to the comment left by Peter G at 10/01/2026 – 09:33
Peter G
No I disagree..
Published Govt guidance says specifically these don’t need replacing. I have quoted it above. So assuming courts take account of govt guidance to the legislation any councils insisting on new tenancy contracts to replace current ones wouldn’t have a leg to stand on.
There are other things over zealous councils may do but this is unlikely to be one. Otherwise nrla and govt and everyone else giving advice on RRA would be telling LLs they need to replace their current contracts by 1 may. Which they are not. Because the legislation and guidance is framed exactly to avoid that unnecessary expense.
Best