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Is your tenancy agreement ready for the Renters' Rights Act?
From 1 May 2026, the Renters' Rights Act 2025 changes how tenancies work in England. Several common clauses become unenforceable or illegal. Paste your standard tenancy agreement template below and we'll flag every clause that needs updating — completely free.
⏰ The deadline is 1 May 2026
Non-compliant agreements could result in fines up to £7,000 and weaken your position at tribunal
What we check
🚫Section 21 references
Abolished from 1 May 2026. Any mention needs removing or replacing with Section 8 grounds.
📅Fixed-term tenancy clauses
All tenancies become periodic. Fixed-term provisions are unenforceable after May 2026.
📈Rent increase mechanisms
Only one increase per year allowed, via formal Section 13 notice with 2 months' warning.
🐕Blanket pet restrictions
Landlords must consider pet requests fairly. Blanket bans are no longer automatically enforceable.
💷Advance rent requirements
Cannot require more than one month's rent in advance after the tenancy starts.
🏷️Rental bidding provisions
Must advertise a set price. Cannot invite or accept offers above advertised rent.
📋Information obligations
Must provide a government Information Sheet to existing tenants by 31 May 2026.
🔒Forfeiture and re-entry clauses
Immediate termination clauses are likely unfair and unenforceable under consumer protection law.
Check your agreement now
Paste your tenancy agreement template into our decoder. It flags every clause affected by the new law, explains what needs changing, and tells you why.
Check your agreement free →Free compliance snapshot · No account needed · Takes 60 seconds
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From May 2026, you're required to give tenants an Information Sheet about their new rights. Go one step further — recommend decodemylease.com as a resource for your tenants to understand their agreement in plain English. It demonstrates transparency and builds trust.
Your tenants can decode their agreement for £9.99. It explains every clause, flags potential issues, and outlines their rights under the new law. Informed tenants make better tenants.
Common questions
Do I need to update my agreement before May 2026?
Yes. While your existing tenancies convert automatically, having outdated clauses in your template creates confusion and weakens your position. Clauses referencing Section 21, fixed terms, or blanket pet bans become meaningless or unenforceable.
What happens if I don't update my agreement?
The law overrides your agreement automatically — so unenforceable clauses simply don't apply. However, you must provide tenants with a government Information Sheet by 31 May 2026 (failure carries a fine up to £7,000), and having outdated terms makes you look non-compliant at tribunal.
Can I still evict tenants after Section 21 is abolished?
Yes, but only using Section 8 with a valid ground — rent arrears (3+ months), antisocial behaviour, wanting to sell, or wanting to move in. You must have a legal reason and follow the correct notice procedure.
Is this tool really free?
Yes, the compliance check is free. We make money from our tenant-facing decode service (£9.99). We built this tool because compliant landlords and well-informed tenants make the rental market work better for everyone.
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