Support available for landlords and letting agents

The Renters’ Rights Act received Royal Assent on 27 October 2025.

The Renters’ Rights Act will be implemented in stages with the first parts applying from 1 May 2026.

For a brief summary of the key changes, please visit the Housing Hub.

The Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet 2026.

For more detailed information, please visit the government website.

Our Landlord Liaison Team are a dedicated team that support landlords/letting agents in resolving tenancy issues. We also offer a general advice service to landlords as well as a tenant-find service.

We have a dedicated email – LLO@thanet.gov.uk and a dedicated phone line – 01843 577377.

Our initial aim is to try to avoid landlords/agents from needing to seek possession or evict a tenant – Therefore tenancy sustainment options are explored in the first instance.
If tenancy sustainment is not an option, we will work with your tenant to assist them with seeking alternative accommodation that is suitable and affordable for their needs.
Please see below some of the areas we could offer assistance with:

• Rent arrears
• Housing Benefit and Universal Credit queries/issues
• Discretionary Housing Payments
• Assisting tenants with setting up rent repayment arrangements
• Debt and budgeting advice for tenants
• Anti-social Behaviour
• Tenancy sustainment
• Tenancy advice
• Support tenants to find alternative accommodation (if required)
• Advice on a landlord’s legal rights and responsibilities
• Signposting tenants to support agencies
• Advice to landlords on serving valid notices/court applications

We also encourage landlords with vacant properties to contact us, as we can offer assistance with the following:

• A large portfolio of potential tenants
• A free tenant-find service – With conscientious checks to match landlord & tenant requirements
• Free tenancy reference checks
• Free budgeting checks
• Assistance with viewings (if in Thanet)
• Assistance with decision-making on potential tenants
• Funding of landlord incentives, rent in advance, deposit (providing the tenant is eligible)

All existing ASTs will automatically convert to Assured Periodic Tenancies (rolling contracts). Please make yourself familiar with The Renters Right Act Information Sheet 2026.

No, you cannot. All tenancies after 1 May 2026 must be Assured Periodic Tenancies (rolling contracts).

You must use Section 8 grounds for possession. “No-fault” evictions (Section 21) are abolished. There will need to be specific grounds.

Grounds are expanded, for example:

• Ground 1: Moving in yourself or your family moving in.
• Ground 1A: Selling the property.
• Ground 4A: Anti-social behaviour.

Please check you are using the correct grounds before issuing any notice.

You cannot use the “sale” or “move in” grounds during the first 12 months of a tenancy.

Notice periods for some grounds, including sale or moving in, will be 4 months’ notice.

Rent can only be increased once per year using a Section 13 notice, with at least two months’ notice.

Yes, but no more than one month’s rent in advance for new tenancies.

No. You must advertise a fixed price for a property and cannot encourage or accept higher offers.

Tenants have a right to request a pet, and you can only refuse on “reasonable” grounds (e.g., property size, leaseholder restrictions, allergies).

No. You cannot discriminate against tenants with children or those receiving benefits.

Please ensure you check gov.uk for further guidance &/or seek independent legal advice to avoid breaching the act.