Month: November 2025

Renters Reform Act – Phase 1 date announced

Following our recent update announcing the Renters Reform Act 2025 had finally received Royal Assent, the Government has now published its delivery roadmap, and Phase 1 will take effect on 1^st May 2026.

What’s in Phase 1?

• Section 21 ban – No new Section 21 notices can be served from 1 May 2026. Notices already served before that date remain valid until expiry or the tenant vacates.
  
  
• Periodic tenancies by default – All new tenancies will start as periodic (no fixed terms).
  
  
• Cap on rent in advance – Limits will apply to the amount a landlord can take upfront.
  
  
• Annual rent reviews via Section 13 – Rent increases must be issued by Section 13 with two months’ notice.
  
  
• No rental bidding – Landlords cannot accept offers above the advertised rent.
  
  
• Tenants will have the right to request a pet – Although Landlords can refuse on fair, legitimate grounds (e.g., head lease restrictions, lack of outdoor space, proximity to a main road).
  
  
• New Anti-discrimination measures – New protections, particularly for families and those receiving benefits.

From 1 May 2026, all existing and new private tenancies move onto the new framework.

What’s next?

• Phase 2 (late 2026): Launch of the Landlord Ombudsman and PRS Database.
  
  
• Phase 3 (mid-2030s): Further consultation on property standards, including the Decent Homes Standard and Awaab’s Law.

What do landlords need to do now?

The implementation date of 1^st May 2026, has been selected deliberately to allow landlords (and agents!) sufficient time to understand their responsibilities and action the required changes.

As part of the changes, Landlords will be required to issue information to their tenants to convert the tenancy agreements already in place (our managed property clients do not need to worry, as we will do this on your behalf).

Landlords without written agreements in place will need to provide details to their tenants prior to the implementation date, and we would encourage any landlords who this might affect to contact us to see how we might be able to assist them.

We will continue to provide updates as the government makes further announcements, but rest assured that the team will continue to work hard to ensure your compliance with the new regulations.

If you have any concerns about the new legislation, please do not hesitate to get in touch with one of the team.

01539 792035 or lettings@hackney-leigh.co.uk

Caring about you and your property

We are thrilled to share some fantastic news with you all – Hackney & Leigh have just won three national awards:

• Best Sales and Lettings Estate Agency in the UK (6–20 branches)
• Best Lettings Manager in the UK – Jo Thompson, Head of Lettings
• Best Sales Manager in the UK – Keira Evans, Kendal Branch Manager

These incredible wins were announced this week at the EA Masters – Best Estate Agent Guide Awards, the estate agency event of the year!

A truly momentous achievement and a reflection of the incredible hard work, passion and dedication of our amazing team – we couldn’t be prouder!

The awards were presented at a glittering ceremony at Evolution London in Battersea Park, attended by more than 1,000 estate agents and industry partners.

Each year, the team behind the Best Estate Agent Guide carries out an independent performance assessment of the entire estate agency industry to identify the best agencies in the country, based on marketing, service and results.

The top performers are then mystery-shopped to ensure exceptional service levels are achieved and that all the latest marketing techniques are being employed to create the perfect first impression of their clients’ properties.

The process for the individual awards included Jo and Keira having in-depth interviews with industry leaders to understand more about them, their values and how they go about achieving the results for their clients.

On winning the Best Lettings Manager in the UK, Jo Thompson, who lives near Kendal, said: “I am honoured and elated to have won the award. It is not only a great result for me, but it recognises what a fantastic team I have that supports me.”

The judges said her in-depth industry knowledge was a key factor in their decision.

Jo has been in the industry for over a decade, having previously been a manager in the hospitality world. She joined Hackney & Leigh in 2017 and has helped shape and grow the business into what it is today.

Following the presentation for Best Sales Manager in the UK, Keira Evans said: “I am delighted to have won the award, not just for myself, but for my team. Just to be nominated was incredible, but to win was a total privilege. I’m utterly flattered to be recognised for my work in a profession I’m so passionate about, especially given the quality of the competition.”

Commenting on Keira’s win, the judges said she had shown fantastic knowledge of her market, alongside a wonderful empathy for her clients.

Keira has worked as an estate agent for ten years, following a successful career as a Sales Manager in the equine industry. She joined Hackney & Leigh at the start of 2022 and has taken the Kendal office from strength to strength.

Peter Knight, founder of the Best Estate Agent Guide and EA Masters, said: “We are delighted to recognise and help celebrate the outstanding achievements of everyone who took home an award at this year’s EA Masters.

“They represent the top-performing agents in the UK, setting the benchmark for excellence in customer service, expertise and results.

“We congratulate this year’s winners, who continue to raise standards in the industry and truly exemplify what it means to be the very best.”