ºÚÁÏרÇø

ºÚÁÏרÇø Renters’ Rights briefing 1 May 2026

1 May 2026 marks the implementation of Phase 1 of the Renters’ Rights Act, representing one of the most significant changes to renting in England in a generation.

ºÚÁÏרÇø (ARL) recognises the importance of the Act in strengthening residents’ rights, increasing clarity and raising standards across the private rented sector. Many of the principles now coming into force are already embedded within professionally-managed Build to Rent, and ARL members are well placed to operate confidently under the new regime.

ARL’s position on the Renters’ Rights Act

ARL’s position is clear and consistent:

• We welcome the clarity the Act brings, particularly around rent review, security of tenure and resident rights.
• We support residents’ right to challenge, transparency in decision-making and fairness in outcomes.
• We accept the legal framework, but insist that it is applied using the right evidence and accurate comparisons.
• We are clear that Build to Rent is materially different from the fragmented, self-managed end of the wider PRS, and must not be misapplied or mis-valued in tribunal or regulatory settings.

This position reflects input from across our membership and leadership and underpins ARL’s engagement with ministers, officials, regulators and the courts.

The ARL has approached the First-Tier Tribunals and Ministry of Justice to ensure understanding of the BTR sector. ºÚÁÏרÇø Renters’ Rights briefing 1 May 2026

Practical support for ARL members

To help members prepare for and operate under Phase 1 of the Act, ARL has produced a set of member-only tools and guidance, developed with input from leading sector legal advisers.

1. Renters’ Rights Legal Guidance (members-only)

ARL members can access a dedicated legal briefing prepared with advice from legal firms across the ARL membership. The guidance focuses on how the Act applies in practice to professionally-managed rental living, including key operational and evidential considerations.

This briefing has been prepared specifically for the Build to Rent and wider rental living sector and is available to ARL members via the Member Area.

2. Renters’ Rights Act Member Briefing Pack

ARL has also produced a Member Briefing Pack to support internal teams and senior leadership conversations. This pack is designed to:

• Summarise what changes from 1 May 2026
• Highlight where BTR operations already align with the Act
• Set out areas where documentation, processes or communications may need review
• Provide consistent ARL messaging for internal and external use

The briefing pack is available to ARL members through the same Renters’ Rights Act resource area on the Member Hub.

Ongoing support and updates

The Renters’ Rights Act will continue to evolve through further phases and guidance. ARL will:

• Keep members updated as implementation progresses
• Continue to engage with government, regulators and the tribunal system
• Issue further clarification where interpretation or practice develops

As ever, ARL’s role is to ensure that professional rental living is understood, fairly treated and evidentially assessed, while supporting our members to operate with confidence and credibility.

Please follow the link below for our Renters’ Rights Legal Briefing, which is available to our members:

RENTERS’ RIGHTS LEGAL BRIEFING PDF