The Renters Rights Act 2026 will become effective in May 2026, impacting the way landlords let properties in England and their relationship with their tenants. The Act will provide tenants with an increased level of stability and it will also empower them to challenge unacceptable practice. Landlords will have new rules to take on board, and some of the key changes will be:
Tenancies will change
- All existing and new tenancy agreements will become assured periodic tenancies
- The tenancy will continue until it is ended by either the landlord or the tenant
- Tenants will be able to end the tenancy at any time, as long as they have given the landlord two months’ notice in writing
- Landlords will no longer have the power to be able to serve a section 21 (‘no fault eviction’) notice to end a tenancy
New rules on how landlords charge rent
For tenancies from May 2026, a landlord will only be able to charge for periods of up to one calendar month and they will not be permitted to ask that tenants pay rent in advance of the tenancy starting.
Process for increasing rent
From May 2026 the process will involve the landlord serving written notice to the tenant of the rent increase, at least two months before the higher rent is due to start
New rules for choosing and accepting tenants
A landlord will no longer be able to refuse someone who has children or who receives benefits unless there is a strong objective reason for the landlord to do so
New procedure for tenants to ask to keep a pet
Tenants will have the right to request permission from their landlord to keep a pet at the property. However, the landlord may already have a clause in the original tenancy agreement that prohibits pets
These changes will impact landlords and their relationship with their tenants. The changes will also impact the UK mortgage market, and Buy to Let mortgage lenders will also need to digest the changes and make some adjustments to the way they assess mortgage applications and the documents they require.
Many yacht crew who are looking to invest in UK property choose to use the services of a mortgage broker to help them navigate the property landscape, understand their mortgage options and to help them manage the complexities that can exist for seafarers.
CrewFO have been partnered with a firm of experienced mortgage advisers for many years who fully understand the challenges that can be faced by yacht crew when it comes to buying a property in the UK.
Book a call today and lets discuss what you could be doing to make the most of your finances in 2026.