Hi all
Advice please
My tenant from 1st August 2025 has been rock solid and no issues. A family member of the tenant paid for the rent, 12 months upfront front in advance. I didn’t ask or advertise for this but after choosing the tenant they came back saying a family member in New York wanted to pay 12 months in advance and I obviously accepted the offer.
Now my understanding with the RRA we can not ask or advertise for advance rent.
With the rent being due again on 1st August if the family member wishes to pay in advance again (without me asking for 12months in advance) can I accept it or is it strictly month by month payment of rent?
@Daniel166
The no rent in advance rules apply to new tenancies, according to nrla
" Please note that these rules only apply to tenancies entered into on or after 1 May 2026. You may continue to take rent in advance throughout the tenancy if your tenancy was entered into (ie signed) before this date."
Independent landlord blog says same
"
The rent in advance rules came into effect for new tenancies on 1 May 2026 . (Existing tenancies are excluded from the rules by the new Section 4B(2)(a) in the Housing Act 1988, inserted by Section 8 Renters’ Rights Act )."
- Even with the new rules, they prevent you from requiring it or encouraging it. They dont prevent tenants paying early if they wish to do so voluntarily.
"
Once the pre-tenancy period has ended and the tenancy has started, rent payments will be payable on the rent due date agreed in the tenancy agreement. A landlord will not be able to require the tenant to make their rent payment before that date, regardless of what the tenancy agreement says. However, the tenant may choose to pay their rent early to help them budget. Once the tenancy has started the tenant can choose to pay any amount of rent early. "
Good luck
@Daniel166
Just to reinforce the point about budgeting which @David240 has already stated. The student scenario was often used when debating this point. A student would normally receive their maintenance grants for the term so would often wish to pay their rent for the term for their own budgeting purposes. This practice will still be allowed to continue under the RRA.
Best!
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