Subletting your leasehold property

You must inform us if you are subletting your leashold property.

You need to:

Inform us about subletting

The Renters' Right Act 2025

The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 is a major reform of the private rented sector in England. It introduces significant changes to how tenancies operate, with the aim of improving security, fairness and housing standards for tenants, while ensuring landlords have clear and lawful routes to regain possession where appropriate.

The Act comes into force on 1 May 2026, and landlords will need to prepare for significant changes to how tenancies are managed. Whether you own a portfolio of properties or rent out a single property you will be affected by this legislation and there are actions that you need to take to ensure that you are complaint.

What does the Act mean for Landlords?

New tenancy structure

Most tenancies will move to a periodic system, replacing fixed-term assured shorthold tenancies. It will not be possible for assured tenancy agreements to have a fixed term or a set end date. All tenancies will automatically become rolling tenancies (sometimes known as ‘periodic tenancies’).

Removal of Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions

You must use the new legal possession grounds if you wish to recover a property. These include circumstances such as:

  • Rent arrears
  • Anti-social behaviour
  • Intention to sell the property
  • Landlord or family member moving in

Changes to rent increases

Rent can only be increased once per year using the correct legal process.

Document requirements

You will need to give new tenants and some existing tenants certain written information about key terms of the tenancy i.e the Written information that must be given to tenants-landlords guidance.Failure to do so could result in a fine.

You must provide all existing tenants with the official Renters’ Rights Act Information sheet by 31 May 2026. The Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet 2026.Failure to do so could result in a fine.

Right to request a pet

Your tenants can request permission to keep a pet, and you must consider requests reasonably. If you are a leaseholder, you will need to check your lease to ensure that this does not breach the terms of your lease agreement.

Protection from discrimination

You will not be able to apply blanket bans on families with children or people receiving benefits.

Stronger enforcement

Local authorities will have enhanced enforcement powers, and penalties will apply for non-compliance.

Future reforms

Not all the reforms will come into force on 1 May 2026. The following will be rolled out later.

New regulatory framework

You will need to register with the Private Rented Sector database. This online database will be rolled out by area from late 2026.

A new Private Landlord Ombudsman will be launched, and you must register whether you self-manage or use a letting agent. Failure to register may result in a fine.

Property Standards

Introduction of the Decent Homes Standard and extension of Awaab’s Law to private rentals requiring you to address hazards like damp and mould promptly.

 

Terms and conditions

Under the terms of the lease, once you have completed your purchase you can sublet your property.

However, you must meet the following criteria if you are to satisfy the terms of the lease and our buildings insurance policy:

  1. You must comply with the provisions of the Renter’s Rights Act 2025.
  2. There must be a formal, Tenancy Agreement, which conforms to all appropriate legislation. You must supply a copy of the current signed tenancy agreement to the London Borough of Hounslow (Leasehold Services). You need to provide a copy whenever you enter into a new tenancy agreement.
  3. As a Landlord, if your property has a gas supply you must have in place a current gas safety certificate. This needs to be completed every 12 months. Please supply your current gas safety certificate to us.
  4. Money (a deposit) must be held against loss or damage.
  5. The owner or a bona-fide agent must manage the property. Your forwarding address and daytime telephone number(s) must be provided in all cases. If you are using a managing agent to administer the tenancy, we require their name, address and telephone number. If you are managing the property yourself from abroad, an alternative address in The United Kingdom must be provided for the serving of notices, the issue of leasehold accounts, etc., and for contact in the case of an emergency. Leasehold correspondence will not be sent to an overseas address. You must keep us informed always of any change to your contact details.
  6. You may not let the property as a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO). The fourth schedule of the lease states that the property is not to be used for any purpose other than as a private self-contained residential flat in a single occupation.
  7. You must inform Leasehold Services in advance if the property is to be left empty for a period of more than 30 days. The terms of your buildings insurance policy state that the property must be ‘permanently lived in.” After the property has been left empty for 30 days you may not be covered for certain risks, such as malicious damage, theft or attempted theft and escape of water. If you are leaving the property empty, you must arrange for someone to regular visit the property.
  8. You remain responsible for ensuring that the terms of your lease are complied with and this extends to the actions of your tenants. You are also responsible for the payment of ground rent, building insurance, service charges and major works.
  9. Building insurance must be current always.

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