New Landlord Legislation Tracker - Template
Written by Scott Jones, founder of PropertyKiln · Last updated
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Here is a reusable structure you can use every quarter to track what legislation is coming next for landlords, without turning it into a policy essay.
New Landlord Legislation Tracker - Q[X] [Year]
1. Headline: what is coming down the track?
In one minute
2-4 bullets on the most important upcoming changes, with dates and who they hit.
Example: "Renters' Rights Act main provisions start 1 May 2026; PRS database and Ombudsman to follow in staged phases."
2. Bills currently before Parliament
Use a table so you can see everything at a glance.
Table 1 - Primary legislation in Parliament (Westminster)
| Bill | Stage (as at [date]) | What it does for landlords (1-2 lines) | Who it affects | Likely timing | Action now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| [Bill name] | [Commons/ Lords/ Committee/ Report] | [Eg changes possession grounds, extends RROs, EPC targets etc.] | [England PRS / social / all UK] | ["Royal Assent expected late 20XX"] | ["No immediate action" / "Start planning for X"] |
3. Secondary legislation and Statutory Instruments (SIs)
These are the detailed rules that sit under Acts.
Table 2 - Key draft / pending Statutory Instruments
| SI / working title | Linked Act | What it covers | Who it affects | Status | Expected in force | Action now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| [SI name] | [eg Renters' Rights Act] | [Eg detailed PRS database rules, Ombudsman membership, new ground wording] | [England PRS] | ["Draft published / laid / awaited"] | [Month/Year] | [Eg audit licensing, prepare data for registration] |
Examples to track:
- PRS Database and Ombudsman regulations under the Renters' Rights Act.
- Decent Homes Standard application to PRS (once regulations are laid).
- Any EPC/MEES tightening regulations for minimum standards.
- HMO / licensing standards SIs.
4. Consultations currently open
You want to know what is being proposed before it is law, and when you can shout about it.
Table 3 - Open consultations affecting landlords
| Consultation | Proposals in brief | Who it affects | Closes (deadline) | How to respond | PropertyKiln view (1 line) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| [Title] | [Eg rent controls, new licensing powers, EPC rules] | [Region / type of landlord] | [Date] | [Link to response page] | ["High impact - consider responding"] |
5. Recently enacted but not yet in force
This is the danger zone: laws that exist but have not started yet.
Table 4 - Acts with provisions not yet commenced
| Act | Key landlord provisions | Who it affects | In force from | Gap (today to start) | What to do before start |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Renters' Rights Act 2025 | Abolishes s21, new s8 grounds, PRS database, Ombudsman, pets rules etc. | Private landlords in England | Main tenancy changes 1 May 2026; database/Ombudsman later phases | [X months] | Update tenancy docs; plan possession strategy; prepare to register. |
| Housing (Scotland) Act 2025 | Enables rent control areas, updated tenancy protections etc. | Scottish PRS | [Commencement dates by part] | [X months/years] | Review Scottish rents, future caps, and upgrade plans. |
6. Expected Government policy announcements
Forward-looking but concise.
Table 5 - Flagged but not yet in legislation
| Policy idea | Source (statement / manifesto / plan) | Likely route (Bill / SI / guidance) | Who it would affect | Earliest likely date | Watchpoints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| [Eg EPC C by 2033 for all rentals] | [White paper / minister speech / manifesto] | [SI under existing Act] | [All private landlords] | [Year] | [Capex, funding, possible exemptions] |
| [Rent controls in X region] | [Scottish Act enabling regs / Welsh co-operation agreement] | [Scottish/Welsh regulations] | [Affected PRS areas] | [Year] | [Risk to high-rent / low-yield stock] |
7. Regulatory changes and professional bodies
Track rule changes that hit you via agents, contractors, or standards.
Table 6 - Professional / regulatory changes
| Body | Change | Who it affects | From when | Landlord action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ARLA / Propertymark | New code or best-practice standards for PRS agents | Landlords using agents | [Date] | Check agency contracts align. |
| Gas Safe Register | Updated gas installation/testing requirements | Landlords with gas | [Date] | Update landlord gas safety process. |
| NICEIC / electrical bodies | New electrical inspection guidance | HMOs / all rentals | [Date] | Check EICR / remedial standards. |
| RICS | New valuation or service charge guidance | Blocks, freeholds, mixed use | [Date] | Discuss with managing agents / valuers. |
8. Devolved legislation: Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland
Keep a separate section so England-only landlords can skip, and others cannot miss critical devolved rules.
Table 7 - Key devolved changes
| Jurisdiction | Law / consultation | What it does | Who it affects | Status and timing | Action now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scotland | Housing (Scotland) Act 2025 - rent control powers and PRT reforms | Enables rent control areas, exemptions list, PRS standards. | Scottish PRS landlords | Act in force; rent control regs expected from [Year] | Model worst-case rent caps, consider cap-exempt property types. |
| Wales | Renting Homes (Wales) Act secondary regs and rent control agenda | Ongoing tweaks to occupation contracts, licensing, possible rent control. | Welsh landlords | Various dates | Track Senedd work; factor in contract changes and any proposed caps. |
| Northern Ireland | [Housing / PRS Bill name] | [Tenancy or rent changes] | NI landlords | [Stage] | [Action] |
9. Quick "what do I do" summary
End with a short action box instead of commentary.
This quarter, check:
- Do any of the Bills or SIs mean you need to change tenancy agreements, licensing, or safety processes this year?
- Are you in a region where devolved governments are moving towards rent control or stricter standards?
- Are there any open consultations you should respond to because they hit your business model directly?
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