Hi all,
I’ve issued the tenancy agreement to a prospective tenant using open rent template.
They have just flagged that the contract does not reflect the new tenancy legislation? Their tenancy starts from 2nd May.
How have you dealt with this situation if any?
Thanks Dee
That’s good to know as I’m about to use the same template. Did they give any specifics? Might run it through Chatgpt and see what it comes up with.
@Denisia all you have to do is explain that you have used the latest template available from OR and that any clauses in it which are not compliant with RRA [such as references to 6month or 12 month fixed periods and break clauses] simply become null and void from 1 may and you will not seek to enforce those as that would be an offence under RRA.
As you are using ‘rent now’ I expect OR will remove the offending clauses from 1 may and expect you will be able to ‘renew’ the tenancy to remove them/use an updated version in due course, but @mod_emma or @mod_harry should be able to confirm whether that’ll be the case
best
The correct tenancy agreement to issue up to the 30th of April is the assured short hold tenancy. You cannot issue the new type of tenancy before the 1st of May.
What has been issued Is 100% correct.
You have to serve each tenant with the RRA information sheet before 31 May with a receipt. I understand Openrent will also do this.
That’s great to know.
Thank you so much.
Dee
Oh okay, that’s great. Thanks very much 
Hi just to confirm that the old AST prior to 1-5-2026 are all still valid with the government new guidlines as I have issued all the tenants with the new government guidelines so can you confirm I am all with the new RRA requirements as regards the old contracts which still have term ends and section 21 which will now become null and void going forward and I do not have to issue any new contracts for now. Thanks
Raj
No need to issue new contracts
Contracts issued before 1 may 26 are still valid but anything in them which is contrary to RRA simply becomes null and voild. There is no such thing as fixed terms anymore so if for example you had a 12m contract issued in april 26 you can no longer hold the tenant to that term- instead all ASTs became APTs and tenant can give a max 2 months notice. Clauses about automatic rent increases can no longer be used.
Section 21s issued before 1 May are still valid but any subsequent application for possession must be made by 31 july.
Suggest you may want to do some training or read up about RRA if you didnt know any of this already as there are big fines if you get things wrong
Good luck