FAQs
Your common questions answered.
Your local council will have new powers to investigate, collect and act on evidence if you break the law. Local authority fines will be issued by fixed penalty notice, so failing to have your documents in place could be costly. In more serious cases, you may also be liable to return rental payments of up to 1-2 years. We strongly advise you to seek advice if you are unsure, please contact us.
As a landlord, it’s important to familiarise yourself with the new requirements and take any necessary actions to make sure you comply. If you don’t comply with the law, local councils may impose a civil penalty on you of up to £40,000 or, in some cases, start a criminal prosecution.
You must ensure you are Renters Rights Act compliant, especially if you are a self managed landlord. Please contact us if you have any concerns, or wish to review your portfolio.
Yes. Since 1 May 2026, Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions can no longer be used. Landlords must now use one of the legally defined grounds for possession, such as selling the property, moving into the property themselves or a close family member, or certain breaches of the tenancy agreement.
The notice period will depend on the ground being used and is usually four months, although some grounds have shorter notice periods. Please contact our office for advice on the appropriate procedure and notice period for your circumstances.
GOV.UK – Grounds for possession guidance for landlords and letting agents
Since 1 May 2026, new assured tenancies in England are periodic rather than fixed-term. There are also new rules affecting how landlords and agents advertise and set rents, request rent in advance, increase rent, deal with pet requests and prevent discrimination against tenants.
Domans Residential will ensure these requirements are incorporated into the process of setting up and managing new tenancies on behalf of our landlords.
No. Existing qualifying tenancies automatically became periodic tenancies from 1 May 2026, so a new tenancy agreement was not required simply because of the change in law.
Tenants should have been provided with the government’s ‘Tenants’ Information Guide’, explaining the changes and how they affect their tenancy.
The legislation does not require existing written tenancy agreements to be reissued.
If you have any concerns about your existing tenancy agreements, please contact our office for advice
From 1 May 2026, under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025, existing qualifying assured shorthold tenancies (ASTs) automatically became Assured Periodic Tenancies (APTs). There was no need to end or replace the existing tenancy agreement.
Tenancies are now rolling rather than fixed-term, and landlords can no longer use Section 21 ‘no fault’ eviction. To regain possession, landlords must use a legally valid possession ground and follow the correct notice and court process.
Tenants can end the tenancy by giving the required notice, normally two months.
Section 21 ‘no fault’ notices were abolished from 1 May 2026 under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025.
Landlords can no longer use Section 21 to regain possession without a reason. Instead, they must rely on a specific legal ground for possession, such as selling the property, moving into the property themselves, or rent arrears, and follow the correct notice and court process.
Tenants can end an assured periodic tenancy by giving the required notice, normally two months’ written notice.
No, following the introduction of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 on 1 May 2026, assured tenancies in England are now periodic rather than fixed-term. This means there is no set end date to the tenancy; it continues on a rolling basis until it is legally ended by the landlord or tenant in accordance with the relevant notice requirements.
Yes. From 1 May 2026, the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 changed the way assured tenancies operate in England.
For qualifying existing tenancies, this included:
- Fixed-term assured tenancies becoming periodic (rolling) tenancies
- Changes to the notice and possession process
- The abolition of Section 21 ‘no fault’ notices
Your existing tenancy agreement did not need to be replaced simply because of these changes.
The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 is new legislation that reforms the private rented sector in England. It introduces stronger protections for tenants and changes how tenancies are managed, how rent is reviewed, and how landlords can regain possession.
It represents one of the most significant changes to the private rental industry in decades.
Yes, but only for specific, lawful reasons under Section 8.
Valid reasons may include:
- The landlord selling the property
- The landlord or a close family member moving in
- Serious rent arrears or anti-social behaviour
Notice periods will apply, and tenants must be given appropriate written notice.
Rent increases must follow a formal legal process, to include the current Section 13 procedure.
Tenants will:
- Receive a Section 13 notice to increase the rental legally.
- Domans Residential have always provided landlords with rental valuations and evidence of such. Increases have always been proposed in line with the information supplied.
Rent reviews must be fair and evidence based.
No. The Act bans practices such as:
- Rental bidding wars
- Asking for rent above the advertised price
- Pressuring tenants into higher offers
- This aligns with Domans Residential’s existing ethical lettings approach.
The Decent Homes Standard will be extended to the private rented sector as part of the later phase of the Renters’ Rights Act. Properties will need to meet minimum standards for safety, repair, heating, insulation, damp and mould.
The standard is not yet in force for private landlords, and the Government has not confirmed a commencement date. Landlords should nevertheless start reviewing their properties now to prepare for the forthcoming requirements.
No – but you will have stronger rights to request a pet.
Landlords must consider requests fairly and can only refuse for reasonable reasons (such as property suitability or allergies). Blanket bans will no longer be allowed.
The Tenant Fee Act restricts additional pet related fees.
Further guidance is expected, but tenants may still choose to hold pet insurance. This cannot be enforced, but good practice in giving your landlord peace of mind in the event of damage.
Tenants should:
- Continue to follow their current tenancy agreement
- Pay rent and report maintenance issues as usual
- Stay informed about upcoming changes from their letting agent
- Contact Domans Residential if they are unsure about notices or rent reviews
Support your landlord through these changes, you are both having to adapt to the biggest changes to the industry in decades.
No immediate action is required.
If you rent through Domans Residential and have questions about how the Renters’ Rights Act affects you, please contact us.
Yes. The Act strengthens and clarifies Section 8 possession grounds, including:
- Selling the property
- Landlord or family member moving in
- Serious rent arrears or anti-social behaviour
- Notice periods may be longer in some cases, but possession routes remain available.
From 1 May 2026, qualifying existing Assured Shorthold Tenancies (ASTs) automatically became Assured Periodic Tenancies (APTs) under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025.
This means existing tenancies are now rolling rather than fixed-term, and landlords can no longer use Section 21 ‘no fault’ notices. To regain possession, a landlord must use a valid legal ground and follow the correct notice and possession process.
Domans Residential will manage these changes on behalf of all fully managed landlords.
Rent increases will need to follow a formal statutory process, similar to the current Section 13 procedure.
Tenants will have enhanced rights to challenge increases via the First-tier Tribunal if they believe the rent is above market value.
Our approach:
We already support rent reviews with market evidence using Rightmove and professional valuation tools to minimise disputes.
The Renters Rights Act proposes a national landlord database.
Details, costs, and timelines have not yet been finalised and will be confirmed through secondary legislation.
Tenants will have stronger rights to request pets, but landlords can still refuse where it is reasonable to do so (for example, property suitability or allergies).
Blanket bans will not be permitted, but landlord consent is still required.
No. Landlords cannot charge tenants a separate pet fee or require them to pay for pet insurance. The Renters’ Rights Act allows tenants to request a pet, with consent not to be unreasonably refused.
We have:
- Updated tenancy documentation and procedures
- Prepared rent reviews and possession processes
- Monitoring government guidance daily
- Providing proactive updates to landlords
- Offering portfolio reviews and tailored advice
- Assisting our Self-Managed landlords to convert to our fully managed service.
If you have questions about how the Renters’ Rights Act affects your property or portfolio, please contact our team.
Whilst no fees are taken from a tenant for securing a property, a description of our scale of fees are listed below for transparency and comply with the Tenant Fee act 1st June 2019.
Early Termination (Tenants Request)
Should the tenant wish to leave their contract early, they shall be liable to pay the landlord’s costs in re-letting the property (up to One Month’s Rental Plus VAT) as well as all rent due under the tenancy until the start date of the replacement tenancy. These costs will be no more than the maximum amount of rent outstanding on the tenancy and will be subject to negotiations between both parties being agreed. The Tenancy in place is a contractual agreement and terms need to be agreed before any further action can be taken. All Early Termination requests are subject to Landlord approval.
Domans Residential costs would depend on the time spent negotiating and drawing up in writing what is agreed on behalf of the tenant. Standard Charge of £50.00 Plus VAT (£60.00).
Change Of Sharer (Tenant’s Request)
These costs are per replacement tenant for any reasonable costs incurred, such as; To cover the costs associated with taking landlord’s instructions, new tenant referencing and Right-to-Rent checks (£62.50 plus VAT (75.00), deposit registration and new insurance certificate (if traditional Deposit Scheme) at
£30.00 Plus VAT (£36.00) as well as the preparation and execution of new legal documents, £41.50 plus VAT (£49.80). Tenants on Nil Deposit Schemes would need to contact the insurer about costs and provide appropriate deposit cover prior to signing of any new Tenancy. The Tenancy in place is a contractual agreement and terms need to be agreed before any further action can be taken. All Change of Sharer requests are subject to Landlord approval.
Lost Key(S) Or Other Security Device(S)
Tenants are liable to the actual cost of replacing any lost key(s) or other security device(s). If the loss results in locks needing to be changed, the actual costs of a locksmith, new lock and replacement keys for the tenant, landlord and any other persons requiring keys will be charged to the tenant. If extra costs are incurred there will be a minimum charge of £12.50 plus VAT (£15.00) per hour for the time taken replacing lost key(s) or other security device(s). Security device replacement costs depend on the supplier and will normally be paid directly.
Variation Of Contract (Tenant’s Request)
£50.00 inclusive of VAT. per agreed variation. To cover the costs associated with taking landlord’s instructions as well as the preparation and execution of new legal documents.
Contractor Call Outs
In the event a contractor is called to a property and the contractor reports that the cause of the problem was through the tenants misuse or tenants not checking the basic maintenance i.e trip switches, fuses, etc. then the full costs of the callout and repair would be at the tenants own expense and the invoice would be forwarded to the tenant for payment. In the event the tenant refuses to pay, then the Landlord would reserve the right to either claim the monies back through a debt recovery company/small claims court or via the dilapidation deposit on hold at the end of the tenancy.
Recovery Of Fees/Other Charges
The Agent shall be entitled to deduct from any deposit that may be paid by a Tenant of the Landlord’s Property any fees or other monies properly due and payable by the said Tenant to the Agent as described in the Tenancy Agreement.
Unpaid Rent
Interest will be charged at 3% above the Bank of England Base Rate from the Rent Due Date until paid in order to pursue non- payment of rent. Please Note: This will not be levied until the rent is more than 14 days in arrears.
Holding Deposit
One weeks rent will be required to reserve a property. Please Note: This will be withheld if any relevant person (including any guarantor(s) withdraw from the tenancy, fail a Right to- Rent check, provide materially significant false or misleading information, or fail to sign their tenancy agreement(and/or Deed of Guarantee) within 15 calendar days (or other Deadline for Agreement as mutually agreed in writing).
Security Deposit (Dilapidations Deposit)
A security deposit of Five weeks rent will be required at the start of the tenancy (Per Tenancy for rent totalling less than £50,000 per year)(Six weeks rent required over £50,000 per year). This covers damages or defaults on the part of the tenant during the tenancy. An alternative Nil Deposit scheme will also be offered at a cost of One Weeks rent plus VAT. Terms & Conditions apply.
Utilities, Rent, Council Tax and TV Licence
All tenants are responsible for the payment of the above and all other costs relative to the property and your personal choice (such as TV and Broadband packages) as described in the Tenancy Agreement.
Redress Scheme and Memberships
We are members of ‘The Property Ombudsman’ No. DO3551. Members of ARLA Propertymark no. M0051060, together with Client Money Protection Scheme no. C0014803.
On completion day you will be required to pay your first month’s rent and your deposit money amounting to 5 weeks rent in the form of cleared funds i.e. cash or bank transfer. Please refer to the tenants page on our website for our full list of fees. The Renters Rights act 1st May 2026, no longer allows us to accept more than one months rental in advance.
Since 1 May 2026, new assured tenancies in England are Assured Periodic Tenancies (APTs) rather than Assured Shorthold Tenancies (ASTs). Existing qualifying ASTs also automatically became APTs on this date.
Your tenancy agreement is a legally binding document and sets out the terms of your tenancy, including your responsibility to pay rent. As an APT is periodic, there is no fixed end date; the tenancy continues on a rolling basis until it is legally ended.
If your circumstances change during your tenancy, please contact Domans Residential Ltd as soon as possible.
Rent is paid monthly by standing order from your bank account. The standing order is set up to be taken from your account 3 days before the rent is due to allow for processing.
Yes! Your contents need to be insured as your landlords insurance will cover the items that belong to the property and the buildings insurance but none of your personal possessions.
You will be advised of all contact numbers/emails on completion day and they will also be detailed on your tenancy agreement. If the property is managed by Domans Residential Ltd you will be required to email us and we will then arrange for any necessary work to be carried out on behalf of the landlord.
Your deposit will be returned at the end of the tenancy. However, this is subject to the property being handed back in a suitable condition and in line with the inventory that you were given at the start of the tenancy although general wear and tear will be taken into account. It is therefore very important that you read through the inventory very carefully and make any necessary amendments before signing, as this will be the document that determines the condition of the property when you moved in. All deposits are held by us under the ‘My Deposits’ backed insurance scheme and no deposit monies are released until all parties have agreed on the amount of deductions to be made, if any. Domans Residential Ltd strictly adhere to ARLA rulings and we will advise your landlord on the refund of your deposit. It is advised that you take out contents insurance that also has cover for your deposit – please ask for further information.
Furnishing Options for Tenants
Our rental properties are available with different furnishing levels, however with around 90% unfurnished. Please see as a guide below, what would suit your needs.
🏠 Unfurnished
An unfurnished property is fully completed but does not include furniture.
Typically includes:
Finished floors, walls, and ceilings
Installed lighting and electrical fittings
Fitted bathrooms and sometimes fitted wardrobes if part of the build.
Kitchen units (appliances may vary)
Does not include:
Furniture (beds, sofas, tables, chairs)
Curtains/blinds or decorative items, but can in the majority of properties.
Best for:
Long-term tenants
Tenants with their own furniture
Those wanting to personalise their space
🛋️ Part-Furnished
A part-furnished property includes some essential items but not a full furniture package.
Typically includes:
Fitted kitchen (often with basic appliances)
Built-in wardrobes or storage
Limited furniture (e.g. bed, sofa, or dining table — varies by property)
🏡 Fully Furnished
A fully furnished property is ready to move into immediately.
Typically includes:
Furniture in living, dining, and bedroom areas
Fully equipped kitchen with appliances
Curtains/Blinds.
Best for:
Short-term or relocating tenants
Corporate or holiday rentals
Tenants seeking a hassle-free move
Quick Comparison for Tenants
| Feature | Unfurnished | Part-Furnished | Fully Furnished |
|---|---|---|---|
| Furniture included | ❌ | Partial | ✔️ |
| Kitchen & bathrooms | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Move-in ready | ❌ | Limited | ✔️ |
| Best for stay length | Long-term | Medium-term | Short-term |
Following the introduction of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 on 1 May 2026, Assured Shorthold Tenancies (ASTs) are no longer used for new tenancies in England. New tenancies are now generally Assured Periodic Tenancies (APTs).
An APT is a legally binding agreement governed by the Housing Act 1988, as amended. It sets out the terms of the tenancy, including the tenant’s obligation to pay rent, and continues on a rolling basis until legally ended by the landlord or tenant.
Yes! It is important that you insure your possessions at the property and continue with your buildings insurance. It is also important that you inform your insurance company that your property is tenanted.
At Domans Residential we have an established procedure for dealing with this situation. We can offer a specially negotiated ‘Rent Protection & Legal Fees insurance’ which will immediately cover your rental and any legal costs. This policy would give you that peace of mind.
If you are moving out of the country and plan to be away for more than 6 months, it is important that you inform the Inland Revenue of your situation. You will be required to complete an Overseas Tax Form NRL1 which can be obtained from www.gov.uk/tax-uk-income-live-abroad/rent. This form will authorise us as your agents to release the full amount of tax to you as long as your taxes are in order.
ARLA is the Association of Residential Lettings Agents, the governing body for Lettings in the UK.
As ARLA members, we follow the ARLA Code of Practice and are also subject to strict annual checks for the following:
- Professional Indemnity Insurance
- Client Money Protection Insurance
- We must keep all client money in a separate client account
- We must provide ARLA with an Accountants audit report of the client account
For further information on the benefits of choosing an ARLA member please use the following link www.propertymark.co.uk/professional-standards.
Yes, a current EPC must be in place prior to any tenants moving into a property. This can be organised on your behalf if required. The certificate will need to be renewed every 10 years the property is occupied.
Yes, a current Gas Safety Certificate must be in place prior to any tenants moving into a property which has gas heating or gas appliances. This can be organised on your behalf if required. The certificate will need to be renewed every year the property is occupied.
Yes, a current EICR must be in place prior to any tenants moving into a property. This can be organised on your behalf if required. The certificate will need to be renewed every 5 years the property is occupied.
