✓ PIMS Renters’ Rights Compliant
Renewing a tenancy agreement is no longer the obvious default step.
This page helps landlords and letting agents decide whether they should renew, do nothing, update documents, use the PIMS Renters’ Rights Addendum, serve the government information sheet, review rent properly, or move toward ending the tenancy.
PIMS view is simple: after the Renters’ Rights reforms, most tenancies continue as rolling periodic tenancies. A new document should only be used where it improves compliance, clarifies rights or supports the landlord’s evidence file.
Critical Warning — Do Not Create an Outdated Fixed-Term Renewal
From 1 May 2026, assured tenancies cannot operate as fixed-term AST renewals in the old way. Existing fixed terms convert to rolling assured periodic tenancies, and new agreements should not suggest that Section 21, old break clauses or old fixed-term controls still apply.
If the landlord only wants to increase the rent, a “renewal” may be the wrong route. The correct route may be the prescribed rent increase process.
PIMS best practice: decide whether the aim is compliance update, rent increase, tenant change, guarantor renewal, deposit correction, or possession planning before issuing any document.
Legal and practical anchors behind this page
Renters’ Rights Act 2025, abolition of fixed-term assured tenancies, rolling assured periodic tenancies, government Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet 2026, Section 13 rent increase process, deposit prescribed information, guarantor continuity, tenant change, affordability review, Section 8 possession strategy and PIMS tenancy documentation.
Documents and Checks You May Need
Document Centre
Use the correct letter, addendum, rent notice or update document.
Deposit Rules
Check whether renewal or variation affects deposit records.
Section 8 Process
Use if renewal is not appropriate and possession is being considered.
PIMS Working Rule
Do not renew for the sake of renewing. First decide the operational purpose: compliance update, rent increase, tenant change, guarantor protection, deposit correction or ending strategy.
PIMS Renewal Decision Flowchart
1. Ask why you are renewing
Rent increase, compliance update, tenant change, guarantor renewal, deposit correction or simply habit?
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2. Is a new agreement actually needed?
The tenancy may already continue periodically without a renewal.
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3. Check statutory documents
Information sheet, deposit records, safety documents, rent notice route and guarantor continuity.
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4. Avoid old fixed-term wording
Do not issue documents suggesting old AST renewal, Section 21 or fixed-term rights still apply.
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5. Use the right PIMS route
Do nothing, issue addendum, serve rent notice, update guarantor, use new agreement or move to Section 8 review.
1. There is no automatic duty to renew -
The practical rule
A landlord is not automatically required to offer a new tenancy agreement when an existing tenancy continues. In many cases, the tenancy can continue periodically and the landlord can deal separately with rent, compliance documents or management issues.
Common landlord mistakes
- Issuing a new agreement every year because that was the old habit.
- Using outdated AST renewal wording after the law changes.
- Accidentally weakening guarantor, deposit or possession position.
- Failing to ask why a renewal is needed.
PIMS Insight: Renewal should have a purpose. If it has no purpose, it may create risk without benefit.
2. After 1 May 2026: rolling periodic tenancies +
The legal rule
From 1 May 2026, assured tenancies move into the Renters’ Rights framework. Fixed terms are abolished for assured tenancies and most private tenancies continue as rolling assured periodic tenancies.
Common landlord mistakes
- Offering a new 6 or 12 month fixed-term AST renewal.
- Leaving old Section 21 wording in documents.
- Using break clauses that no longer work as expected.
- Failing to explain that the tenant can end by notice under the new framework.
PIMS Warning: Do not accidentally tell tenants or landlords that old fixed-term AST rights still apply when they do not.
3. Information Sheet and transition documents +
The practical rule
Landlords must make sure tenants receive the government Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet 2026 where required. PIMS guidance is to work to the safer deadline of 29 May 2026, not to risk weekend/service arguments at the end of the month.
Common landlord mistakes
- Thinking renewal is enough without serving the required information.
- Serving late or keeping no evidence.
- Using an old tenancy agreement instead of a compliant update route.
- Not using a control sheet or tenant sign-off record.
PIMS Tip: Compliance is not only what you served. It is whether you can prove what was served, when, to whom and in what version.
4. Rent increase: renewal may be the wrong route +
The legal route
If the landlord’s real aim is to increase the rent, the correct route may be the prescribed rent increase process rather than a new tenancy agreement. Under the Renters’ Rights framework, rent increases are more tightly controlled and landlords should use the correct notice route.
Common landlord mistakes
- Calling a rent increase a renewal.
- Trying to secure higher rent by pressure or informal agreement.
- Failing to use the correct prescribed notice.
- Increasing rent without checking timing and challenge risk.
PIMS Warning: Do not use renewal paperwork to sidestep rent increase rules.
5. Deposit checks before any new document +
The practical rule
Before issuing any new tenancy, variation or renewal-type document, check the deposit position. A new document can sometimes expose old deposit problems, create confusion about prescribed information or require scheme record updates.
Common landlord mistakes
- Renewing without checking whether the original deposit was protected correctly.
- Not re-serving or updating prescribed information where needed.
- Failing to check if the lead tenant or parties have changed.
- Trying to fix a deposit breach casually with a new tenancy.
PIMS Insight: A renewal can accidentally shine a light on historic deposit errors. Check first.
→ Taking Tenancy Deposits
6. Guarantors and renewal traps +
The practical rule
Before renewing, varying or replacing a tenancy agreement, check whether any guarantor remains bound. A new tenancy or material variation may affect guarantor liability if the guarantor has not agreed properly.
Common landlord mistakes
- Assuming an old guarantor automatically covers a new tenancy.
- Increasing rent or changing terms without guarantor consent.
- Not getting a fresh guarantor deed where risk has changed.
- Failing to reassess affordability when household income has changed.
PIMS Warning: Do not accidentally release your guarantor by issuing the wrong renewal document.
→ Guarantor Guidance
7. When not to renew: move to ending strategy instead +
The practical rule
If there are arrears, serious breach, anti-social behaviour, refusal of access, deposit risk, licensing issues or property sale intentions, a renewal may be the wrong move. The landlord should first consider whether the correct route is compliance repair, warning letters, rent arrears management, or the new Section 8 process.
Common landlord mistakes
- Renewing with a problem tenant to “buy time”.
- Creating a new agreement while arrears are unresolved.
- Changing documents before possession strategy is assessed.
- Failing to check whether the landlord has the right evidence for Section 8.
PIMS Tip: Before renewing, ask: would I grant this tenancy again today?
→ New Section 8 Process
8. Final renewal checklist +
- Ask why a renewal is needed.
- Check whether the tenancy can simply continue periodically.
- Do not use old fixed-term AST wording after the reforms.
- Serve the Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet 2026 where required and keep proof.
- If rent is the issue, use the correct rent increase route.
- Check deposit protection and prescribed information before issuing new documents.
- Check guarantor continuity before varying or replacing the agreement.
- Check tenant change, occupier change and affordability.
- Check arrears, breach, inspection and complaint history.
- If the tenancy is problematic, consider warning / Section 8 strategy rather than renewal.
PIMS Final Rule: Renew only when it improves the landlord’s legal and evidence position. Do not renew out of habit.
Renewal, Rent, Deposit and Possession Navigation
Unsure whether to renew, update or do nothing?
PIMS members can use the helpline before issuing a renewal, changing rent, varying terms, releasing a guarantor, correcting deposit records or moving toward the new Section 8 process.
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