Assured Periodic Tenancies Explained: What Landlords Need to Know After May 2026

What Are Assured Periodic Tenancies?

Since 1 May 2026, the rental landscape in England has fundamentally changed. The Renters' Rights Act 2025 abolished assured shorthold tenancies (ASTs) and replaced them with a new system based on assured periodic tenancies. If you're a landlord or letting agent, understanding this shift is crucial for maintaining compliant rental arrangements.

An assured periodic tenancy is a form of secure tenancy that continues indefinitely on a periodic basis—typically monthly—without a fixed end date. Unlike the old AST system where landlords could rely on Section 21 'no-fault' evictions, assured periodic tenancies offer tenants significantly greater security of tenure.

The End of Assured Shorthold Tenancies

For decades, ASTs dominated the private rental sector. These agreements typically ran for fixed terms (often six or twelve months) and gave landlords the right to regain possession relatively easily at the end of the term, even without citing tenant fault.

What Changed on 1 May 2026?

The Renters' Rights Act 2025 brought sweeping changes:

• No new ASTs: Landlords can no longer create assured shorthold tenancies
• Existing ASTs transition: All existing ASTs automatically became assured periodic tenancies
• Section 21 abolished: The 'no-fault' eviction process was completely removed
• New grounds for possession: Landlords must now rely on specific grounds to end tenancies
• Enhanced tenant rights: Tenants gained stronger protections against unfair evictions

Key Features of Assured Periodic Tenancies

Security of Tenure

Tenants now enjoy indefinite security of tenure, meaning they can remain in the property as long as they comply with tenancy terms. Landlords can only end the tenancy by:

• Using specific grounds for possession (such as rent arrears or antisocial behaviour)
• Serving appropriate notice periods
• Following proper legal procedures

Rent Increases

Under the new system, rent increases are more regulated:

• Landlords must provide proper notice of rent increases
• Tenants have enhanced rights to challenge unreasonable increases
• Frequency of increases may be limited

Notice Periods

Both landlords and tenants must observe specific notice periods:

• Tenants typically need to give one rental period's notice to end the tenancy
• Landlords must use prescribed notice periods depending on the grounds for possession
• Notice periods are generally longer than under the old AST system

The Information Sheet Duty: A Critical Compliance Requirement

One of the most immediate compliance challenges facing landlords is the new information sheet duty. Under the Renters' Rights Act 2025, landlords must provide tenants with the official GOV.UK Information Sheet 2026 by 31 May 2026.

Who Must Comply?

The information sheet duty applies to:

• All private landlords in England with residential tenancies
• Letting agents acting on behalf of landlords
• Both existing tenancies (that transitioned from ASTs) and new assured periodic tenancies created after 1 May 2026

What's Required?

Landlords must:

• Send the official GOV.UK Information Sheet 2026 to all tenants
• Ensure delivery by the 31 May 2026 deadline
• Maintain proper records proving compliance
• Keep evidence that tenants received and understood the information

"The information sheet duty isn't just a box-ticking exercise—it's about ensuring tenants understand their enhanced rights under the new system. Failure to comply could leave landlords exposed to penalties and complications in any future possession proceedings."

Compliance Challenges and Solutions

Many landlords are finding the transition to assured periodic tenancies challenging, particularly around record-keeping and compliance documentation.

Common Compliance Issues

• Tracking obligations: Managing information sheet duties across multiple properties
• Proof of delivery: Demonstrating that tenants actually received the required information
• Deadline pressure: Ensuring all tenants receive information by 31 May 2026
• Documentation: Maintaining defensible audit trails for potential disputes

Streamlining Compliance

Technology solutions like Ploxit are helping landlords navigate these new requirements efficiently. By automating the delivery of the official GOV.UK Information Sheet 2026 and creating comprehensive audit trails—including sent confirmations, opened receipts, and tenant acknowledgements—such platforms ensure landlords meet their obligations whilst focusing on property management.

Practical Steps for Landlords

Immediate Actions

1. Review your portfolio: Identify all tenancies that transitioned from ASTs on 1 May 2026
2. Update records: Ensure tenant contact details are current and accurate
3. Plan information sheet delivery: Don't wait until the deadline—start sending the GOV.UK Information Sheet 2026 now
4. Strengthen record-keeping: Implement systems to track compliance across your portfolio

Ongoing Management

• Stay informed: Keep up-to-date with guidance from landlord associations and government sources
• Review tenancy agreements: Ensure your agreements reflect the new assured periodic tenancy framework
• Understand possession grounds: Familiarise yourself with the specific grounds available for ending tenancies
• Consider professional support: Work with letting agents or legal professionals who understand the new system

Looking Ahead

The transition to assured periodic tenancies represents the biggest change to private rental law in a generation. Whilst this creates additional compliance burdens, it also brings clarity and standardisation to landlord-tenant relationships.

Successful landlords will be those who embrace these changes, invest in proper systems and processes, and ensure full compliance with new obligations like the information sheet duty.

For landlords managing multiple properties, automated compliance solutions like Ploxit can transform a complex administrative burden into a straightforward process, ensuring you meet the 31 May 2026 deadline whilst maintaining the detailed records necessary for effective tenancy management.

Conclusion

Assured periodic tenancies are now the foundation of England's private rental sector. Understanding your obligations under this new system—particularly the urgent information sheet duty—is essential for maintaining compliant, successful rental arrangements.

The deadline of 31 May 2026 is approaching fast. Taking action now to inform your tenants and establish proper compliance systems will protect your interests and ensure you're operating within the new legal framework established by the Renters' Rights Act 2025.

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This article provides general information about assured periodic tenancies and should not be considered legal advice. Always consult with qualified legal professionals for guidance specific to your circumstances.