The Renters' Rights Act changed how you let. A separate set of regulations, six weeks later, changed how councils inspect, and fine. Here's exactly what applies to your Blackpool property right now, and how PPS keeps you covered.
It's easy to lump them together because they landed so close. They're not the same regime, and they don't cover the same ground.
All assured shorthold tenancies converted to assured periodic tenancies on this date, fixed terms gone. "No fault" eviction under Section 21 is no longer available; possession now requires a Section 8 ground. Rent increases are limited to once a year, formally notified, and challengeable at tribunal. Rent in advance is capped at one month.
Landlords and agents had to issue the government's Information Sheet to tenants on existing tenancies by this date, alongside the written statement of terms now required for anything let after 1 May.
The Housing Health and Safety Rating System moved from 29 hazard categories to 21, and from A–J letter bands to a High / Medium / Low numeric score. Separately, councils gained a discretionary power to issue a civil penalty of up to £7,000 for a Category 1 (High) hazard, without first serving an improvement notice. Penalties are not automatic and are subject to the legal requirements.
We follow both sets of changes. If you let a property in Blackpool or the Fylde Coast, we can talk through how they apply to your tenancy paperwork and property checks.
Not the headlines, the parts that change your paperwork and your Tuesday.
Since 1 May 2026, regaining possession means citing a specific ground, arrears, sale, moving back in, or anti-social behaviour, each with its own notice period and evidence standard.
No more fixed terms. Every new letting is a rolling periodic tenancy, and tenants can leave with two months' notice at any point.
Increases go through a formal Section 13 notice, must reflect market rate, and tenants can refer them to the Property Tribunal for free.
A prescribed written statement is now required before a tenancy starts, a standalone document or built into the agreement itself.
Fewer hazard categories, plainer scoring, and a penalty a council can now issue the moment it finds a problem.
Where a council finds a Category 1 (High) hazard it judges reasonably removable, it has the discretion to issue a civil penalty of up to £7,000 without first serving an improvement notice. Penalties are not automatic, and the council must meet the legal requirements for issuing one.
The old A–J bands are gone from every form and log. If your inspection checklist still says "Category 1, Band B," it's already out of date.
Prepared to the post-1 May requirements for new and existing tenancies.
Property checks scored High / Medium / Low under the 21-hazard framework, not the retired A–J system.
Evidence and notice periods built for whichever ground actually applies, not a generic template.
A one-off walk-through of your portfolio flagging hazards a council could treat as Category 1, which can attract a civil penalty of up to £7,000.
A 20-minute call tells you whether your tenancies, notices, and hazard records are actually current, no obligation, no sales pitch.
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