"Communication is critical. Landlords in particular need reassurance and clarity. Agents who can clearly explain what’s changing, what it means, and how they are managing it will strengthen trust and reinforce their value"
- Paul Offley - The Guild
With less than two weeks until the Renters’ Rights Act comes into force on 1 May 2026, the industry focus has shifted firmly to delivery, as agents respond to final guidance on lettings reform from The Guild of Property Professionals.
A six-week training programme designed to prepare members for the changes is now concluding, with attention turning from education to operational execution.
The Guild has spent the past six weeks running structured webinars and drop-in sessions to help agents navigate the most significant changes to lettings in decades. Led by compliance officer Paul Offley (pictured) and supported by senior account manager Tanya Pearson, the programme has broken down requirements into practical steps, covering everything from tenancy processes to communication strategies ahead of implementation.
Lettings reform priorities for agents in final weeks
As the deadline nears, the Guild has set out three immediate priorities linked to lettings reform, focusing on compliance, documentation and communication across portfolios.
First, agents are being urged to distribute the government’s official Information Sheet to all relevant tenants and guarantors before the 31 May deadline. Offley warned that evidence of service is critical, particularly for larger managed portfolios where administrative oversight could create risk.
He said, “This is one of the most immediate compliance risks. Agents need to ensure not only that the document is served, but that they can evidence it. This is a process that should already be underway.”
Second, updated tenancy agreements must be in place ahead of 1 May, with all new tenancies required to reflect the incoming legislative framework. Members have been advised to ensure that periodic tenancy agreements are fully compliant and ready for use as the new rules take effect.
Third, communication with landlords and tenants is being positioned as essential. The Guild has encouraged agents to use materials from its training programme to explain what is changing and how it will be managed in practice, particularly given the end of Section 21.
Offley said, “Communication is critical. Landlords in particular need reassurance and clarity. Agents who can clearly explain what’s changing, what it means, and how they are managing it will strengthen trust and reinforce their value.”
The organisation’s six-week lettings reform programme, launched in February, aimed to convert complex legislative change into clear operational guidance, supported by checklists, scenarios and structured workflows. Weekly support clinics throughout April have also allowed members to address outstanding questions as the deadline approaches.
Looking beyond 1 May, the Guild has also flagged further reform later in the year, including the introduction of a Private Rented Sector Database and Ombudsman Scheme, although the immediate focus remains on readiness for implementation.
Offley added, “With less than two weeks left, agents need to be focused on the right things. Complete your Information Sheet rollout, finalise your tenancy agreements, and communicate with your clients. Those who act decisively now will not only be compliant but well-positioned to thrive in the new lettings landscape.”
