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OBL-003 Landlord obligations · England

Rent Periods and Due Date — landlord obligations in England

When granting a new assured tenancy from 1 May 2026, the tenancy agreement must set rent periods of 28 days or less, or monthly. Any term for a different period is void by law and rent becomes monthly. Rent due in advance terms are void, except for initial rent payable in a permitted pre-tenancy period.

Obligation OBL-003 Last reviewed: June 2026 England
Calendar showing rent due date for an assured periodic tenancy in England
All landlords granting assured tenancies from 1 May 2026. Photo: Unsplash (free commercial use).
Applies to
All landlords granting assured tenancies from 1 May 2026.
Evidence
Documentary evidence required
Jurisdiction
England
Statutory basis

The law that creates this obligation

Primary instrument
Housing Act 1988 s.4A (as inserted by RRA 2025)
What the law requires

Your obligations as a landlord

  • Who this applies to: All landlords granting assured tenancies from 1 May 2026.
  • When it applies: At grant of every assured tenancy.
  • What you must do: Ensure the tenancy agreement states permitted rent periods (28 days or less or monthly) and the rent due date, with no void terms for rent in advance (except initial pre-tenancy rent).
Evidence standard

What good evidence looks like

Your compliance file should contain

  • Written record or document confirming this obligation has been met
  • Date of compliance — email timestamp, signed receipt, or platform log
Workspace task: Upload Tenancy Agreement
Upload the tenancy agreement showing permitted rent periods and rent due date.

Record this obligation in your LettingsLedger workspace

Upload evidence, set reminders, and build a timestamped compliance record — all in one place.

Failure and enforcement

Consequences of non-compliance

What happens if you do not comply

Non-permitted periods become monthly by law; rent in advance terms are void; conduct of a fixed-term may attract a civil penalty (see OBL-006).

LL
LettingsLedger editorial team
Verified against legislation.gov.uk and official GOV.UK guidance
Related guides

Further reading for landlords

LettingsLedger is a compliance evidence governance platform. It is not a legal services provider and does not provide legal advice. Content is derived from UK primary legislation at legislation.gov.uk and official GOV.UK sources. Reflects the position as at June 2026. A GovProtocol product by Pertheo Limited.