Every compliance deadline facing private landlords in England, in one place. We keep this page updated as dates are confirmed or change.
2026 — the year everything changed
| Date | What happens | Who it affects | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 Apr 2026 | Making Tax Digital for Income Tax goes live — quarterly digital reporting replaces the single annual return | Landlords with combined property and self-employment gross income over £50,000 | In force |
| 30 Apr 2026 | Last valid service of a Section 21 notice (4:30pm cut-off) | All private landlords | Passed |
| 1 May 2026 | Renters’ Rights Act phase one: Section 21 abolished, fixed terms replaced by periodic tenancies, rental bidding banned, pet requests, rent-increase limits, rent in advance capped | All private landlords | In force |
| 31 May 2026 | Deadline to give every tenant the official Information Sheet | All private landlords | Passed — penalties up to £7,000 |
| 30 Jul 2026 | Ground 4A student possession: last date for the temporary two-month notice window. Four months’ notice required after this. Full guide | Student HMO landlords | Passed |
| 31 Jul 2026 | Final date to issue court proceedings on pre-1 May Section 21 and Section 8 notices | Landlords with a live notice | Passed |
| 7 Aug 2026 | First quarterly MTD update due for the 2026/27 tax year | MTD-mandated landlords | Passed |
| Late 2026 | Private Rented Sector Database begins regional rollout — registration will become mandatory | All private landlords | Confirmed, date TBC |
2027
| Date | What happens | Who it affects | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 Apr 2027 | MTD threshold drops — quarterly reporting extends to a wider group | Landlords with qualifying income over £30,000 | Confirmed |
| During 2027 | Renters’ Rights Act tenancy reforms extend to the social rented sector | Social housing providers | Confirmed |
| After database launch | Mandatory Private Rented Sector Landlord Ombudsman begins | All private landlords | Confirmed, date TBC |
2028
| Date | What happens | Who it affects | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 2028 | MTD threshold drops again | Landlords with qualifying income over £20,000 | Confirmed |
| Apr 2028 | High Value Council Tax Surcharge — annual charge of roughly £2,500 to £7,500 on top of existing council tax | Owners of properties valued over £2 million | Confirmed |
| 1 Oct 2030 | EPC Band C minimum required — new and existing tenancies | All private landlords | Confirmed |
2029 and 2030
| Date | What happens | Who it affects | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sept 2029 | Expected cut-off for obtaining an EPC under the current methodology, before the Home Energy Model replaces it | All landlords planning EPC work | Proposed |
| 1 Oct 2030 | Proposed deadline for all let properties to reach EPC C or hold a registered exemption | All private landlords | Proposed |
Beyond
| Date | What happens | Who it affects | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2035 | Decent Homes Standard applies in full to the private rented sector | All private landlords | Confirmed |
The EPC C question — read this before you spend money
The 2030 EPC C requirement is the deadline landlords ask about most, and it is the one where the detail is least settled.
It is a proposal, not law. The Government consulted on revised Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards and is expected to confirm firm proposals. Until it does, the precise requirements can still shift.
What makes it complicated is the assessment method. Under the proposed Home Energy Model, reaching a C would require meeting two metrics out of three rather than one: a fabric standard such as insulation or double glazing, plus either a heating systems metric or a smart readiness metric. In practice that could mean a heat pump or solar panels on top of insulation work.
Consultation documents indicated costs of up to £15,000 per property. There are also real questions about trade availability against the timescale.
Practical advice: assess your current EPCs now, prioritise cost-effective fabric improvements that will count regardless of the final rules, and keep evidence of expenditure in case you need to claim an exemption. Avoid committing to expensive plant until the final standard is confirmed.
Penalties at a glance
- Information Sheet not provided — up to £7,000
- Right to Rent breach — up to £10,000 per occupier for a first breach, £20,000 for repeat breaches, with criminal prosecution possible in serious cases
- MTD late submission — points-based system; four points triggers a £200 penalty, plus charges proportionate to tax owed for late payment
- Letting below the minimum EPC standard — civil penalties under MEES
Local authority enforcement powers and financial penalties were strengthened under the Renters’ Rights Act, alongside expanded rent repayment orders.
What to do this quarter
- If you hold a pre-1 May possession notice, get proceedings issued before 31 July
- Confirm every tenant received the Information Sheet — if any did not, address it now
- If you are MTD-mandated, diarise 7 August for your first quarterly update
- Pull the EPC for every property and note the expiry date and current rating
- Review your possession record-keeping — Section 8 claims are evidence-led and every claim now needs a hearing
Related guides
- Section 21 deadline 31 July 2026
- Can landlords refuse pets in 2026?
- Tenant referencing and Right to Rent
- Council tax: what landlords actually owe
You are welcome to link to this tracker or cite it. We maintain it against primary sources including GOV.UK, legislation.gov.uk and official regulator guidance, and review it as dates are confirmed. It is general information, not legal advice — deadlines can carry serious consequences, so take professional advice on your own circumstances.