St Helens landlords urged to prepare for national changes to renting laws

Article date: 27 April 2026

From Friday 1st May 2026 the reforms will mean a new tenancy system, including the end of Section 21 'no‑fault' evictions. There will also be new rules which aim to stop rental bidding, rental discrimination and requirements for rent in advance. 

All landlords in St Helens Borough are being encouraged to familiarise themselves with the official government guidance. This will help ensure their current and future tenancies meet the new legislation's requirements. 

From the start of May, landlords need to: 

• Provide the official government Information Sheet to tenants with written agreements that began before 1 May 2026, no later than 31 May 2026. 

• Provide tenants who have verbal-only agreements with a written record of the tenancy terms by the same date. 

• Update tenancy agreements for all new tenancies starting on or after 1 May 2026, ensuring required written information is included. 

• Review rent‑increase processes and advertising practices. From May 2026, property ads must display a fixed asking price, and landlords cannot accept offers above it. 

• Remove any clauses restricting tenants with children or those receiving benefits, as these will be legally invalid under the new rules. 

Landlords who fail to meet the new requirements may face financial penalties of up to £7,000 or £40,000, depending on the breach, or prosecution resulting in unlimited fines. They may also be subject to Rent Repayment Orders of up to two years' rent.

Tanya Wilcock, Director of Communities for St Helens Borough Council, said:

"We're encouraging landlords to be prepared for the new responsibilities and standards they'll be expected to meet under the Renters' Rights Act, and to familiarise themselves with the new rights their tenants will have. Ultimately these changes will bring security, stability and a wealth of other benefits to thousands of renters and landlords in St Helens Borough.

"We're pleased to see the end of "no-fault" evictions and the introduction of limits on rent rises, which will grant renters the confidence to put down roots, while stronger protections against poor housing conditions will help to improve health and wellbeing across the borough, supporting our wider public health priorities."

Landlords can stay updated on this national change in legislation by visiting www.gov.uk/rentingischanging.

For more information locally, visit www.sthelens.gov.uk/article/1873/Private-Sector-Renting