Propertymark has issued a fully compliant Assured Periodic Tenancy (APT) agreement to its letting agent members ahead of the Renters’ Rights Act coming into force.

It will ensure letting agents across England are prepared for the first phase of the Act on 1 May.

The legislation abolishes fixed-term Assured Shorthold Tenancies (ASTs) and transitions all tenancies to a rolling, periodic system.  So, from 1 May, all new and existing tenancies will operate as Assured Periodic Tenancies.

Propertymark says its newly developed tenancy agreement reflects these legislative changes, and ensures members can issue contracts that meet the new legal requirements.

Eviction cases

Also under the new Act, tenants will be able to end their tenancy at any time by providing a minimum of two months’ notice.

And Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions will be removed, with possession cases relying solely on revised Section 8 grounds.

Other key changes agents must be prepared for include:

• Rent increases limited to once per year, and rent bidding prohibited
• Landlords or agents must provide a written statement of key terms by 31 May 2026, where no written tenancy agreement exists.
• Tenants with existing tenancies must be provided with the Information Sheet by 31 May.
• Rent in advance payments cannot exceed one month’s rent, and cannot be taken before the agreement is signed.
• It will be unlawful to discriminate against tenants with children or those in receipt of benefits.
• The APT is available to members of ARLA Propertymark, and those who are part of its of its ‘Company Advantage’ package.

More on the Renters’ Rights Act