The Renters' Rights Act has changed the rules for every private landlord in England. Here are the five worries we hear most from East London landlords, and the practical ways a good managing agent takes each one off your plate.
The Renters' Rights Act is the biggest shake-up of renting in a generation. The core rules went live on 1 May 2026, as set out in the government's overview for landlords. They touch everything from how you end a tenancy to how much rent you can charge. For many landlords, the change has brought real worry. A growing number now turn to a managing agent for help.
That worry is understandable. The penalties are steep, the paperwork has grown, and one honest mistake can now cost thousands. So landlords are asking a simple question. How do I stay compliant without it taking over my life?
The good news is that none of these worries is unmanageable. Below, we walk through the five biggest concerns we hear at our Hackney office. We also show how a managed service takes each risk off your plate.
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The five worries we cover
1. Losing control of evictions
The Renters' Rights Act abolished Section 21, the old "no-fault" eviction route. As a result, you can no longer end a tenancy simply by giving notice. Instead, you must rely on a specific legal ground under Section 8. That could be selling the property or moving back in yourself.
These grounds come with strings attached. For example, say you regain a property to sell it. You then cannot re-let it for 12 months, and you must give four months' notice. Get the ground or the notice wrong, and your case can collapse at court. Understandably, many landlords now fear being stuck with a problem tenant.
A good agent serves the correct notice on the correct ground, with the exact wording the court expects. Moreover, they keep the tenancy records that prove your case. A possession claim then stands up first time, rather than failing on a technicality.
2. Fines for non-compliance
This is the worry that keeps landlords awake. The new law introduced a two-tier penalty system. Councils can now issue fines without going to court. Minor breaches can cost up to £7,000. Examples include issuing a fixed-term tenancy or failing to hand over the required information.
Serious or repeat offences are far worse. These can reach up to £40,000, or lead to criminal prosecution. Re-letting a property inside the restricted period falls into this higher tier, as does misusing a possession ground. In short, the margin for error has shrunk to almost nothing.
Compliance is the agent's day job, not an afterthought. They issue the right tenancy type, serve every required document on time, and keep dated proof of each step. Therefore the everyday mistakes that trigger fines simply do not happen.
3. Tighter rent-increase rules
Under the Renters' Rights Act, you can raise the rent only once a year. You must also give at least two months' notice. On top of that, tenants can challenge any increase at the First-tier Tribunal. They can do this if they believe it sits above the market rate.
For landlords, this creates two headaches. First, the timing and paperwork must be exactly right. Second, an increase pitched too high can be dragged to tribunal. That costs time and can leave the rent frozen. So pricing a rise correctly now matters more than ever.
An agent knows the local market rent to the pound, so your increase is both fair and defensible. In addition, they serve the correct notice at the right time. This keeps the rise valid and lowers the risk of a tribunal challenge.
4. New registration and ombudsman duties
The Act brings two new duties that did not exist before. You will need to register on the Private Rented Sector Database. You must also join a landlord ombudsman scheme. Both roll out from late 2026, and ombudsman membership is mandatory.
The ombudsman can order you to apologise, take corrective action, or pay compensation. For a busy landlord, that means more admin, more deadlines, and more ways to slip up. Many simply do not have the hours to keep on top of it all.
Your agent handles the registrations and acts as the first point of contact for any complaint. As a result, issues are resolved early and professionally, long before they ever reach the ombudsman.
5. Higher repair and safety standards
The new rules extend the Decent Homes Standard to private rentals for the first time. Alongside it, Awaab's Law sets strict deadlines for fixing serious hazards such as damp and mould. In practice, repairs can no longer sit on a to-do list.
This raises the stakes for every landlord. A slow response to a reported hazard is no longer just poor service. Increasingly, it is a compliance failure that can bring a fine or a claim. For let-only landlords, keeping up with this alone is a tall order.
A managed service runs regular inspections and responds to repair reports fast, with its own trusted contractors. Because every visit and fix is logged, you have a clear record that proves the property met the standard throughout.
How a managing agent handles every worry
Look again at the five worries, and a pattern appears. Each one comes down to the same three things. You need the right paperwork, served at the right time, with a clear record to prove it. That is exactly what a managing agent delivers, day in and day out.
At Homefinders, our fully managed service handles the lot. We serve compliant notices, track every deadline, and keep dated records. We also run inspections and handle repairs fast, through our own in-house team of builders and handymen. You get the rental income without the legal worry.
| The worry | How Homefinders handles it |
|---|---|
| Losing control of evictions | Correct Section 8 grounds, notices, and tenancy records |
| Fines for non-compliance | Right tenancy type and every document served on time |
| Rent-increase rules | Market-accurate rises served with valid notice |
| Registration and ombudsman | Registrations managed; complaints handled early |
| Repair and safety standards | Regular inspections and fast in-house repairs, fully logged |
We have let and managed East London property since 1988. So we know exactly how these rules play out on the ground. If you would rather spend your time on your life than on legislation, this is what we are here for. You can explore the full service with one of the best letting agents in Hackney.
Let Homefinders carry the compliance for you
One team, every duty under the Renters' Rights Act handled, so a fine never becomes your problem.
Frequently asked questions
The Renters' Rights Act basics
When did the Renters' Rights Act come into force?
The Act received Royal Assent in October 2025, and its core rules went live on 1 May 2026. Further duties, such as the Private Rented Sector Database and the landlord ombudsman, roll out from late 2026.
Can landlords still evict tenants after the Renters' Rights Act?
Yes, but only on a valid legal ground under Section 8. Examples include selling the property, moving back in, or tenant rent arrears. The old Section 21 no-fault route has been abolished, so the correct ground and notice now matter a great deal.
How much can a landlord be fined under the Renters' Rights Act?
Minor breaches can cost up to £7,000, issued directly by the council. Serious or repeat offences can reach up to £40,000 or lead to criminal prosecution. Both tiers apply to private landlords across England.
How a managing agent keeps you compliant
How often can I increase the rent now?
You can raise the rent once a year, with at least two months' notice. Tenants can challenge an increase at the First-tier Tribunal if they think it is above the market rate. So pricing it correctly is important.
Do I have to join a landlord ombudsman scheme?
Yes. Membership of the landlord ombudsman becomes mandatory as the scheme rolls out from late 2026. You will also need to register your details on the Private Rented Sector Database.
How does a managing agent reduce my risk?
A managing agent issues the right tenancy type and serves every notice on time. It also keeps dated records and responds to repairs quickly. As a result, the everyday mistakes that trigger fines and failed claims are far less likely.