RRA Deadline Tracker
Every key deadline for the Renters' Rights Act, from Royal Assent through Phase 3. Dates marked “estimated” are based on the GOV.UK implementation roadmap and may change when secondary legislation is published.
Royal Assent
The Renters' Rights Act 2025 becomes law.
Council investigatory powers
Local council investigation powers under RRA 2025 Part 4 have been in force since 27 December 2025. Councils can demand up to 12 months of compliance documents retroactively, even for periods predating commencement.
Last day to serve Section 21
Last day to serve a valid Section 21 notice, before 1 May 2026 commencement (the statute takes effect at 00:01 BST). Any notice served on or after 1 May 2026 is invalid.
Phase 1 takes effect
Section 21 abolition, AST conversion to periodic, Form 4A rent increases, rent-bidding ban, rent-advance cap, Written Statements + Information Sheets, retroactive council investigation powers (live since 27 December 2025).
Existing-tenancy document deadline
Without the record type we can't pick the right document. Sch 6 para 7(1)(a) disapplies s.16D / s.16E(1)(f) for wholly/partly written tenancies (they get the Information Sheet under para 7(2)), but leaves s.16D on for wholly oral tenancies with the para 7(5) modified deadline. Serving an Information Sheet to a wholly oral tenant, or a Written Statement to a written tenant, does not discharge the statutory duty. See https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2025/26/schedule/6/paragraph/7.
Section 21 court claim deadline (s.21(1) notices)
Latest day to commence court possession proceedings on a standard s.21(1) notice served before 1 May 2026. The applicable period under RRA 2025 Sch 6 para 4(2), inserting HA 1988 s.21(4D) ends at the earlier of (a) 6 months from notice service OR (b) 31 July 2026.
Section 21 court claim deadline (s.21(4) longer-notice notices)
For s.21(4) notices requiring longer notice, the applicable period under RRA 2025 Sch 6 para 4(2), inserting HA 1988 s.21(4E) ends at the earlier of (a) 4 months from the date specified in the notice OR (b) 31 July 2026. If the date specified in your s.21(4) notice is before 1 April 2026, the 4-month period will expire before 31 July 2026 — check the notice, not the calendar.
Phase 2 — late 2026 (SI publication pending)
PRS Database, Private Rented Sector Ombudsman membership. MHCLG has indicated late 2026 in the implementation roadmap; the commencement statutory instrument has not yet published.
Phase 3 — Decent Homes Standard for PRS — estimated 2035 or 2037, pending MHCLG consultation
The GOV.UK RRA implementation roadmap proposes the Decent Homes Standard for PRS is brought into force in either 2035 or 2037; the final year depends on ongoing consultation. Do not treat 2030 as a date.
Guidance only, not legal advice. This output is generated from your self-declared answers against published regulatory sources. Verify each rule against the current version of the underlying legislation at legislation.gov.uk and take advice from a qualified housing solicitor on any question specific to your property, tenant, or tenancy.
Prepare for Each Phase
Phase 2 and Phase 3 dates are estimates based on the GOV.UK implementation roadmap. We update this tracker as dates are confirmed. This is not legal advice.
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