Regulations under the Renters' Rights Bill extend the minimum notice period a landlord must give before ending a periodic tenancy from two months to four months.
This change has passed but is not yet in force. Check the commencement order for the effective date.
Draft regulations laid under the Renters' Rights Bill extend the Section 21 notice period — where that notice is still available during the transition period — from two months to four months for tenancies that started before the Bill's commencement date. For new tenancies, Section 21 notices will be abolished entirely once the Bill is in force.
The full Bill and its explanatory notes are published on Parliament.uk. Landlord obligations during the transition period are set out in the Housing Act 1988 until the new regime takes full effect.
AreaHousing
TypeAmendment
Published1 July 2026
StatusPassed — not yet in force
What this means in practice
This amendment affects Housing matters in England & Wales.
It has been approved but a commencement date has not yet been set — nothing changes for you until the law is formally brought into force by statutory instrument. Read the full guide for step-by-step guidance on how this area of law works.
This item summarises a legal development for general information only. It is not legal advice.
Always check the official text and, for your own situation, consult a qualified lawyer.
About what it means, whether it applies to you, and where to find the official text.
Does this change affect me right now?
It depends on the type of change and your situation. Items marked "In force" apply now. Items marked "passed but not yet in force" have been approved by Parliament but a commencement order has not yet set the start date — they cannot be enforced until that date. Check the official commencement information on legislation.gov.uk. If you are unsure how a change affects your situation, Citizens Advice offers free guidance.
Where can I read the full official text?
Every news item links to its primary source. All UK Acts of Parliament and statutory instruments are on legislation.gov.uk. Bills still going through Parliament are tracked on Parliament.uk. Court judgments are published on BAILII. If the change relates to official government guidance, that is published on GOV.UK.
Can I rely on this news item for a legal decision?
No — news items are summaries for general awareness, not legal advice. They do not take your specific circumstances into account. For decisions that carry legal or financial consequences, consult a qualified solicitor. The Law Society's Find a Solicitor tool lets you search by area of law and location. For lower-stakes questions, Citizens Advice covers most everyday situations for free.
How quickly does LawTheGuide update when a law changes?
We aim to cover significant changes — new Acts, major court rulings, statutory instruments — within a few days of publication. Our primary sources are legislation.gov.uk, Parliament.uk, BAILII, and GOV.UK. Guides are updated only when a change is confirmed in force — not when it is merely passed.
What is the difference between a law being "passed" and "in force"?
A law is "passed" when it receives Royal Assent — Parliament has approved it and it is technically an Act. It is "in force" when a commencement order sets the date it actually takes effect. Some Acts sit passed but dormant for months or years. Until it is in force, no one can rely on it or be bound by it. Commencement orders (statutory instruments) on legislation.gov.uk record the exact effective dates.