From 1 May 2026, tenants will see important changes including the abolition of Section 21 notices meaning that landlords will no longer be able to evict tenants without a valid reason (such as the landlord selling the property). These ‘no-fault’ notices have been a major cause of homelessness in England.
Lambeth tenants concerned about how they may be impacted by the new legislation can learn more by visiting the government’s dedicated website.
Advice for landlords
The new regulations also bring clearer expectations for the 48,000 private landlords operating within Lambeth. These include:
- Providing tenants with a copy of the Renters’ Rights Information Sheet by 31st May.Failure to do so could result in a fine of up to £7,000. Landlords and managing agents must give tenants the official PDF downloaded from the Government website either by:
- Providing a printed copy by post or in person, or
- Sending it as an attachment by email or text (as long as the tenant confirms receipt or your tenancy agreement allows this)
Sending a link to the document via text or email will not be valid
- Fixing serious hazards promptly. Landlords must already ensure their properties are safe and free from serious hazards. These are known as Category 1 hazards and include issues such as damp, mould and electrical risks. Fines for failing to fix serious hazards will increase from £30,000 to £40,000. Councils will soon be able to issue a fine of up to £7,000 if a landlord hasn’t taken practical steps to fix a Category 1 hazard
- Keeping records up to date. Lambeth, and all local authorities, now have the power to request a wider range of compliance documents so landlords must ensure their records are complete, accurate and readily accessible
The Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG) has issued clear advice to help landlords prepare for 1 May.
Word from the Cabinet
Councillor Danny Adilypour, Deputy Leader of Lambeth Council and Cabinet Member for Housing, Investment and New Homes said:
“While most landlords provide a good and professional service, Lambeth welcomes this important new legislation which is a major step forward in protecting residents who privately rent homes in the borough and tackles discrimination in the housing system.
“Delivering and enforcing the Renters Right Act will help residents live with dignity and greater stability and certainty about their future in the borough, supporting our 2030 ambition to make Lambeth a place we can all call home.”
Alongside helping tenants and landlords understand what these changes mean in practice, Lambeth Council is training staff and reviewing services and processes to ensure it can respond effectively to new rights and increased demand.
While most landlords provide safe, good-quality homes, some fail to meet their responsibilities. The council is therefore preparing for an increase in enforcement activity to ensure standards are upheld.
The Renter’s Right Act will:
Prevent discrimination. Landlords will no longer be able to refuse tenants simply because they receive benefits or have children, and they must reasonably consider requests to keep pets.
Ensure more secure tenancies. From 1 May 2026, assured shorthold tenancies will automatically convert into assured periodic tenancies with no fixed end date. Tenants can terminate these tenancies with two months’ notice but landlords must take proceedings based on specific grounds.
Provide enhanced oversight and scrutiny of private landlords. Further changes will follow later in 2026, including a new national landlord database and an independent ombudsman to handle tenant complaints
