Manchester Landlords: Unpacking the Renters' Rights Act 2026 and What It Means for You

Following on from earlier reform announcements, the Renters' Rights Act continues to reshape the relationship between landlords and tenants across England, with Manchester's large private rental market particularly affected given the city's high proportion of renters.

Periodic tenancies as the default structure mean landlords need to rethink how they plan for void periods, maintenance scheduling, and rent reviews, since fixed-term certainty is no longer part of the standard tenancy model.

Rent increase rules are also tightened, with a single permitted method (via Section 13 notices) and a right for tenants to challenge increases they consider above market rate through the First-tier Tribunal.

Pet requests must now be considered more seriously, with landlords required to have a reasonable justification for refusal — a change that has practical implications for property condition and any pet-related damage clauses in tenancy agreements.

For landlords managing several properties across Manchester, working with a maintenance contractor who understands these compliance touchpoints — and can document work carried out — makes ongoing management considerably more straightforward.