The UK lettings landscape never stands still, and 2026 promises another wave of change. Between the ongoing implementation of the Renters' Rights Bill, tightening energy efficiency standards, and increased emphasis on transparency and data protection, letting agents will need to stay sharper than ever.

The agencies that thrive won’t just react to new rules, they’ll prepare for them, using property management software to automate compliance, protect their landlords, and build trust with tenants.

Here’s your forward-looking 2026 compliance checklist to stay one step ahead.

1. Prepare for Full Implementation of the Renters' Rights Bill.

By 2026, the government is expected to complete the phased rollout of the Renters' Rights Bill, reshaping the private rental sector.

Key points to prepare for:

• Abolition of Section 21 “no-fault” evictions

• New digital property portal and landlord database

• Mandatory periodic tenancies replacing fixed-term ASTs

• Expanded grounds for possession under Section 8

How to stay compliant:

Ensure your tenancy data is digital and searchable. Sounds easy, but many letting agents have already fallen far behind on this.

2. Strengthen Data Protection and Record-Keeping

With more processes moving online, data privacy is under renewed scrutiny. Letting agencies will face higher expectations around GDPR compliance and data retention transparency.

What to review:

• How tenant and landlord data is stored and shared

• Access permissions for staff and contractors

• Encryption and secure document storage practices

How togetha helps:

Securem encrypted storage, with automatic audit trails and automated reminders simplifies compliance.

3. Anticipate Stricter Energy Efficiency Requirements

While the 2025 EPC “C” target was delayed, MEES (Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards) are still a priority for the next government. By 2026, new timelines and incentives are expected to come into effect, pushing landlords to upgrade older properties.

What agents should do:

• Keep an updated EPC record for every property

• Flag properties below EPC “C” to landlords

• Help landlords access grant or financing options

How togetha helps:

Use integrated EPC tracking tools to generate alerts, reports, and compliance summaries across your managed portfolio.

4. Stay Alert on Short-Let Licensing and Local Authority Rules

More councils across England are expected to follow London’s lead in regulating short-term lets and HMOs more tightly. Licensing renewals, registration, and occupancy limits may vary regionally.

How to prepare:

• Maintain a live record of licenses and expiry dates

• Track local authority updates for each area

• Automate reminders for renewals

How togetha helps:

togetha's calendar-based compliance tools can send automated alerts to ensure renewals never slip through the cracks.

5. Embed Fair Housing and Accessibility Practices

The Equality Act already mandates inclusive housing practices, but expect a 2026 emphasis on accessibility standards, anti-discrimination training, and transparent tenant screening.

Action points:

• Review screening processes for bias or non-compliance

• Standardise communications and documentation

• Provide clear tenancy selection criteria

How togetha helps:

Digital tenant application systems ensure consistent screening, auditability, and traceability, reducing the risk of inadvertent discrimination.

6. Get Ready for Tax and Accounting Digitisation

HMRC’s Making Tax Digital for Income Tax (MTD for ITSA) scheme is expected to fully impact landlords and agents by April 2026. Landlords will need to submit quarterly updates digitally, and many will rely on their agents to support compliance.

What to do now:

• Digitise rent records and expenses

• Prepare for API-based data sharing with HMRC

• Educate landlords on new digital tax expectations

How togetha helps:

togetha uses systems that integrate with accounting software, and you can export data directly.

The Bottom Line: Compliance Is Going Digital

By 2026, compliance in lettings won’t just be about paperwork — it will be about data, systems, and accountability.

The agencies that stay ahead will be those that embrace technology, automate key processes, and create clear digital audit trails for every property, tenancy, and client interaction.

Now is the time to modernise your compliance strategy, and let togetha's property management software do the heavy lifting.

Next Step:

If your current system can’t automatically flag EPC expiries, track deposit schemes, or record inspection dates, it’s time to upgrade. The 2026 regulatory landscape will demand it.

Start your compliance transformation today. Future-proof your agency and protect your landlords with an integrated, compliant property management platform.

Book your 20 minute, no-commitment demo today and see how much time and money togetha could be saving your business.