No. Existing ASTs will automatically transition into Assured Tenancies under the legislation. Tenants do not need to re-sign unless you are issuing a new agreement for another reason. However, agents must ensure the government information sheet is issued to tenants.

Based on current understanding, these tenancies are expected to transition on 1 May in the same way as existing tenancies, and the government transition leaflet can be issued.

However, there is currently no official government guidance confirming this specific scenario. Agents should monitor updates and seek independent legal advice if needed.

AST tenancies cannot be executed on the Goodlord platform after 30 April.

If you have an AST tenancy in progress that has not been executed by 1 May, you will no longer be able to execute it in the platform. In these cases, the tenancy will need to be recreated as an Assured Tenancy instead.

If any move-in monies have already been collected (such as the security deposit or first month’s rent) and the tenancy has not been executed by 1 May, these payments may need to be refunded before creating the new tenancy.

To avoid disruption, agents should ensure any in progress AST tenancies are fully executed before 1 May.

Yes, for eligible tenancies recorded in the platform.

The leaflet will be sent automatically in batches for:

• Active ASTs transitioning into Assured Tenancies
• Managed and rent collection tenancies
• Non-archived properties
• Executed ASTs that have a start date of 1st May or later

An audit trail will be visible in the tenant email log. Agencies can opt out by contacting their Account Manager.

Only tenancies recorded in Goodlord can be supported by automated features such as transition leaflet sending and Section 13 workflows. If you manage historic tenancies externally, you may wish to add them as external tenancies to use these tools.

No. Under the new regime, the tenancy agreement must be signed and executed before any rent payments can be taken.

Agencies should ensure their processes reflect the correct legal sequence of signing, execution and then payment collection. Goodlord’s updated payment flow is designed to follow this sequence within the platform.

Yes.

Once a tenancy is executed, it becomes legally binding. If the tenant has not paid, they would fall into arrears from day one, but the tenancy remains valid.

Agencies should review their internal processes carefully and consider how they manage payment confirmation and key release in line with their legal obligations.

Yes. Holding deposits are not affected by the new legislation and can continue to be collected as they are currently, subject to existing rules.

Under the Renters’ Rights Act:

• Rent periods cannot be longer than one month.
• You cannot require multiple months of rent to be paid in advance.
• You cannot request several rental periods in a single payment.

Agents and landlords must structure rent collection in monthly periods in line with the legislation.

Upfront rent payments beyond permitted monthly limits will not be allowed under the new rules.

This means agencies will need to review how they assess and support international tenants without UK credit history, students, and tenants who previously relied on advance rent to meet affordability.

Where affordability is an issue, agencies may consider alternative solutions such as a professional guarantor product.

Goodlord Guarantor is available within the referencing journey and can support tenants who do not meet full affordability requirements, and international tenants who do not have access to a UK-based guarantor.

It also provides additional protection for landlords while allowing agencies to widen their tenant pool.

Agents should review their student and overseas processes ahead of 1 May.

No. The products serve different purposes. Your Account Manager can explain how they work together.

From 1 May 2026, Section 13 will be the only mechanism for increasing rent under the new regime.

Goodlord’s Section 13 tool allows you to create compliant notices and generate an audit trail within the platform.

Fees and eligibility depend on your package. Please speak to your Account Manager for pricing confirmation.

Updated template timelines will be communicated ahead of 1 May 2026. The platform will reflect approved versions where applicable.

The written statement will form part of the new contract template. The platform will provide compliant documentation aligned with legislative requirements.

Yes. Special conditions can still be added to tenancy agreements.

If you use fully custom contracts, you may need to coordinate updates separately to ensure they remain compliant.

For let-only arrangements, once the tenancy has begun, the landlord holds responsibility for ongoing statutory compliance.

Based on customer feedback and responsibility boundaries, the obligation to issue the government transition leaflet sits with the landlord rather than the agent in let-only cases.

Yes. Properties and tenancies can be archived within the platform. Guidance on how to do this is available in the Help Centre.

Without protection in place, the landlord bears the financial risk of arrears and legal costs. Agencies concerned about day-one non-payment exposure should review their protection strategy ahead of 1 May.