News from 29 May 2026
The government published a strategy on 22 May 2026 for improving information about England’s private rented sector. It explains how surveys and other data could help assess the effect of tenancy reforms. The strategy itself does not impose a new duty on individual landlords.
What the strategy says
The government says the strategy is intended to improve the quality, coherence and transparency of data on the private rented sector in England. It points to the use of existing surveys, operational data and new information created as the Renters’ Rights Act is implemented.
The stated aims are to understand renter problems more clearly, monitor how the sector is functioning, and support evaluation of legislative change. In plain terms, government wants a better view of what is happening after the first phase of reform, rather than relying only on partial surveys, local reporting or anecdotal evidence.
This follows the implementation roadmap for the Renters’ Rights Act, which confirmed that the first phase of measures took effect on 1 May 2026. Those measures include the abolition of section 21 for new and existing private rented sector tenancies in England, changes to rent increases, restrictions on rental bidding and rent in advance, stronger local authority enforcement, and expanded rent repayment orders.
The roadmap also points to further structural changes. A private rented sector database is due to start regional rollout from late 2026, and mandatory landlord membership of a new PRS Landlord Ombudsman is expected in 2028 once the service is ready. That makes the new data strategy relevant even where it does not create an immediate form to complete this week.
