Details: Published: 03 November 2026

The biggest change to private renting in England in decades is now in force. If you rent a home in Shropshire, the Renters’ Rights Act affects you, whether you signed your tenancy years ago or are just starting to look. Here’s a plain-English guide to what has changed, when, and what it means for you.

Key date: 1 May 2026

The Renters’ Rights Act brought in big changes for private tenants from 1 May 2026. The changes apply to both new and existing tenancies. The exception is if your landlord served a valid eviction notice before that date, in which case your rights might not have changed.

1. No more “no-fault” evictions

Since 1 May 2026, your landlord can no longer use a Section 21 notice, the route that let them ask you to leave without giving a reason. To take back the property, a landlord must now rely on a legal ground under Section 8 and prove it applies. Valid reasons include things like the landlord wishing to sell or move in, or serious rent arrears.

2. Your tenancy is now rolling

On 1 May 2026, every assured shorthold tenancy became an assured periodic tenancy, which simply rolls on from one rent period to the next. If you were in a fixed term, it is now an assured periodic tenancy. You can stay as long as you like, until a landlord uses a valid ground to end it.

3. Easier to leave

You can now end your tenancy whenever you like by giving at least two months’ written notice. You’re no longer locked into a fixed term if your circumstances change, for example a new job or a growing family.

4. Rent rises are limited and can be challenged

Landlords must use a formal Section 13 notice to raise the rent. Rent review clauses in your agreement no longer count.
Increases are limited to once a year, with two months’ notice.
You can challenge any rent increase at the Property Tribunal if you think it is unfair. The tribunal can accept the proposed rent or set a lower one, but not a higher one.

5. Fairer lettings

Bidding wars are banned, so landlords and agents can’t invite you to offer more than the advertised rent.
Landlords can no longer ask for more than one month’s rent in advance on new lettings.
It is illegal to refuse tenants because they receive benefits or have children.

6. The right to ask for a pet

Tenants have strengthened rights to request pets, and landlords must consider the request within 28 days. A landlord can’t refuse unreasonably.

7. Stronger enforcement

Councils have wider powers to investigate landlords, with higher penalties applying from 1 May 2026. Rent Repayment Orders, which let tenants reclaim rent when a landlord has committed certain offences, now reach back up to 24 months.

What you should have received

If your tenancy began before 1 May 2026, your landlord had to give you the government’s information sheet. The deadline was 31 May 2026. If you never received it, ask your landlord or agent for a copy. For new tenancies, your landlord must provide a written agreement setting out key terms and your rights.

What’s still to come

Not everything has started yet. The Private Rented Sector Database, the landlord Ombudsman, the Decent Homes Standard and Awaab’s Law are being introduced in later phases on a rolling timetable. We’ll keep you updated as dates are confirmed.

Where to get help in Shropshire

If you think your rights aren’t being respected, speak to your letting agent first. You can also get free advice from Shelter and Citizens Advice, or contact Telford & Wrekin Council’s housing or private sector enforcement team.

Renting in Shropshire with Nick Tart Lettings

We keep our tenants informed and make sure every tenancy we manage follows the new rules. Looking for a home in Shropshire? Call 01952 432 732 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

This article is general information, not legal advice. For advice on your situation, contact Shelter, Citizens Advice or a solicitor.

Details: Published: 27 October 2026

Set your rent too high and your property sits empty. Set it too low and you lose income every month. For Bridgnorth landlords, getting the figure right from day one matters more than ever. Here’s how to do it.

What are rents looking like in Bridgnorth?

Bridgnorth covers everything from town-centre flats to village cottages, so there’s no single “right” number. Recent advertised rents give a rough picture:

1-bed flats: from around £675 to £800 per month, with older or more basic flats sitting lower
2-bed homes: typically £795 to £950 per month
3-bed homes: commonly £925 to £1,295 per month, depending on condition, garden and location
Larger or character properties: can reach £1,500 or more

One national portal puts the overall average asking rent in the area at around £963 per month, while others put it nearer £1,000. The spread between sources shows why a local, property-specific valuation beats any headline average.

These are indicative asking rents from live listings, not guaranteed achievable rents.

What influences how much rent you can charge?

Location: walkable to the High Town and Low Town amenities, near the schools, or in a quieter village setting
Condition and presentation: a recently updated kitchen or bathroom can justify a higher rent and attract better applicants
Parking and outside space: both are in high demand locally
Property type and size: bedrooms, bathrooms and reception space
Energy efficiency: better-rated homes are cheaper for tenants to run, which makes them more attractive
Furnished or unfurnished: and whether you’ll consider pets

How to research your rent properly

Look at comparable properties, the same size and type in the same area, not just the cheapest or most expensive.
Check what’s actually let, not just what’s advertised. Asking rents and achieved rents can differ.
Think about the time of year. Demand is typically stronger in spring and summer.
Get a free local appraisal. A letting agent who works in Bridgnorth every day will know what tenants are really paying.

Why getting it right matters more now

Under the Renters’ Rights Act, landlords can only raise rent once a year through a formal notice, and tenants can challenge an increase. That makes your starting rent more important, because it’s harder to correct later. Pricing sensibly from the outset also means shorter void periods and more settled tenants.

The cost of getting it wrong

A property priced £50 a month too high that sits empty for six weeks loses far more than a modest drop would have cost. A property priced too low gives away hundreds of pounds a year for the length of the tenancy.

Let us help

Nick Tart Lettings covers Bridgnorth and the surrounding area. We’ll give you a free, no-obligation rental valuation based on real local data. Call 01952 432 732 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to book yours.

Figures are indicative and correct at the time of writing. Rental values vary by property and change with the market.

Details: Published: 20 October 2026

If you let property in England, a new compulsory landlord register is on its way. It was created by the Renters’ Rights Act 2025, and the public-facing service is called “Register your rental property”. Here’s what we know so far and what to do now.

What is it?

The Private Rented Sector (PRS) Database is a national register of landlords and rental homes in England. Landlords will need a landlord entry for themselves and a separate dwelling entry for each rental property.

When do I need to register?

The service opens on 15 December 2026 and rolls out region by region, with every actively letting landlord registered by 14 November 2027. Your deadline depends on where the rental property is located, not where you live. Each region gets a three-month window. For example:

West Midlands: in force 15 December 2026, deadline 14 March 2027
East of England: opens 15 January 2027, deadline 14 April 2027
South East: opens 15 March 2027, deadline 14 June 2027
London: 15 July to 14 October 2027
South West: deadline 14 November 2027

You can register early once your region’s service opens, as long as you meet the regional deadline. If you have properties in several regions, each one follows its own deadline.

What will it cost?

The fee is £65 per property per year, and fees will be adjusted pro rata during the initial rollout. Registrations must be renewed annually.

What information will I need?

Registration will involve:

Your details: name, date of birth, address, telephone number and email address. Companies and similar bodies must give details of their directors, trustees or partners.
The property and tenancy: the address and whether it’s currently let.
Safety compliance: the status of your safety certificates, including the dates and details of your latest gas safety certificate.
A GOV.UK One Login account: registration runs through One Login, with offline routes for those who need them.

Why it matters

A landlord who breaches the duty to register won’t be able to obtain a possession order, except on grounds of tenant anti-social behaviour. Landlords also risk fines, with up to £7,000 reported for a first or minor breach. Once the rules fully apply, a property can’t be marketed or let without active landlord and dwelling entries. Some advisers note the advertising requirement won’t apply at the start of the rollout.

Your getting-ready checklist

Work out your deadline for every property, and diarise the annual renewal.
Audit your safety paperwork. Check the expiry dates on your gas safety certificates, EICRs and EPCs. Missing records or conflicting information could cause problems during registration.
Gather your documents in one place: ID details, tenancy information and certificates for each property.
Set up your GOV.UK One Login before your window opens.
Keep records current. Changes generally need to be updated on the database within 28 days.
Check your licensing. The database is separate from local authority HMO or selective licensing, so you may still need both.
Talk to your agent. An agent can help with parts of the process, but you remain responsible for the registration and the information in it.

How we can help

Nick Tart Lettings can check your documents, confirm your deadlines and support you through registration. Get in touch via email or telephone for a no-obligation chat.

*This post is general information, not legal advice. Details may change as government guidance is updated.

Details: Published: 14 October 2026

Renters’ Rights Act Landlord Guide: What It Means for Telford Landlords

If you let a property you will have heard plenty about the Renters’ Rights Act. Since the main changes took effect on 1 May 2026, the rules for ending a tenancy, raising rent and handling tenant requests are different from the ones many landlords have worked with for years.

This Renters’ Rights Act landlord guide cuts through the noise. It covers what has changed, how possession works now, and the practical steps worth taking. It’s general information, not legal advice, so speak to a solicitor about your own situation.

What changed on 1 May 2026

The biggest headline is the end of Section 21, the “no-fault” eviction route. Landlords can no longer use it to end a tenancy.

Alongside that, most private tenancies in England now run as rolling periodic tenancies rather than fixed-term assured shorthold tenancies. There is no automatic end date. The tenancy continues until the tenant chooses to leave or the landlord has a valid legal reason to end it.

Other changes include a ban on rental bidding, where prospective tenants are encouraged to offer more than the advertised rent. There are also new rules on how you respond when a tenant asks to keep a pet.

How possession works now

You can still regain your property, but you now need a legal reason, known as a “ground”. The Act expands the list of grounds and sorts them into two types.

Mandatory grounds mean the court must grant possession if you prove the ground applies. Discretionary grounds mean the court decides whether granting possession is reasonable in the circumstances.

The grounds cover situations landlords commonly face, including selling the property, moving in yourself or a close family member, serious rent arrears, and anti-social behaviour. Each ground has its own conditions and notice period, and some can’t be used in the early months of a tenancy. If the notice expires and your tenant hasn’t left, you can then apply to court.

The practical point is that evidence now matters more than ever. Keep clear records of rent payments, communications, inspections and any complaints.

Rent, pets and day-to-day management

Rent increases follow a set process. You use a formal notice, usually no more than once a year, and tenants can challenge an increase they think is above market level. Setting rent sensibly from the start, and reviewing it regularly, reduces the risk of disputes.

On pets, tenants can ask to keep an animal, and you can’t simply refuse without a reasonable basis. It’s worth having a clear approach, including whether you’ll ask for appropriate insurance to cover possible damage.

Compliance also deserves attention. Gas safety certificates, electrical checks, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and a valid EPC remain essential. Further reforms, including a landlord database and ombudsman, are expected to follow, so keep an eye on updates.

What Telford landlords should do now

Review your tenancy paperwork. Make sure agreements and processes reflect the new system.
Check your compliance. Put certificate expiry dates in your diary.
Review your rent. Compare your rent with similar homes in your area before any increase.
Keep good records. Photos, inspection reports and written communication all help if a dispute arises.
Talk to your agent. A good agent keeps up with the changes so you don’t have to.

Frequently asked questions

Can I still sell my rented property in Telford?
Yes, but you’ll need to follow the correct process, and the sale ground has its own conditions, including timing rules. Take advice before serving notice.

Do I need to re-issue my tenancy agreement?
It’s best to check with your agent or solicitor. Existing tenancies have been affected by the changes, so don’t assume your current paperwork is still fit for purpose.

Can I increase the rent?
Yes, using the correct formal notice and process. Tenants can challenge an increase at tribunal, so it should be reasonable and backed by evidence of local market rents.

Book your free rental valuation

Not sure how the Renters’ Rights Act affects your Shropshire or West Midlands rental? Nick Tart Lettings can help you understand your options, price your property sensibly and keep your lettings compliant. Book a free Tenancy Health Check today!

Details: Published: 08 October 2025

Carmencita, Tibberton , TF10 8NW

Offers in the region of £1,100,000

Carmencita is an individually architecturally designed property positioned within a substantial plot of wrap around gardens including a driveway providing parking for several vehicles. Extensive, well proportioned accommodation provides flexibility for multi-generational and modern family living. The property provides consideration to the layout to maximise the natural light and garden views. Contemporary fixtures and fittings are of high quality and include Bosch integrated appliances and French bathroom fittings. Tibberton is a sought after village having an eclectic mix of executive family homes, a highly regarded primary school, community shop and gastro pub. Tibberton is within Newport secondary school catchment for the Newport Girls High School and The Haberdashers Adams Grammar School.

The nearby market town of Newport has a range of pubs, eateries, independent shops and supermarkets including Waitrose. The A41 is a commuter link to the M54 and A518 to Stafford and Telford. Stafford mainline train station has regular services to London Euston, Birmingham and Manchester. Many Stafford to London Euston services are 1hr 20 minutes.

Ground Floor.
The reception hall has a guest cloakroom and a feature centre spine staircase with Beech hardwood steps and a glass balustrade. Porcelanosa 1.2 metre tiles extend to the open plan breakfast kitchen/dining/family room. The breakfast kitchen/dining/family room has a rear garden aspect and includes three sets of bi-fold doors opening onto the Southerly facing garden. The breakfast kitchen has a range of contemporary wall and base units, pan drawers, breakfast island with steel grey Alligato granite work surfaces over, composite sink and draining board. Bosch Integrated appliances include three electric ovens, induction hob with pop up extractor, dishwasher, floor to ceiling fridge and freezer. The family/dining room has a fireplace with oak timber over and provision for a wood burning stove. The spacious sitting room has a front aspect. Bedroom 5 is a double bedroom with an en-suite wet room and includes a wall hung wash hand basin within a vanity unit and WC. This room could also be used as a home office or play room.

First Floor.
The landing with a vaulted ceiling has dual aspect feature windows to the front and rear of the property. The master bedroom is a large double bedroom with a walk in wardrobe and bi-fold doors opening onto a balcony with glass and steel balustrade having garden views. The en-suite consists of a walk in double shower cubicle with mains shower, marble terrazzo wash hand basin within a solid teak vanity unit and WC. Bedroom 2 is a large double guest suite with a garden aspect. The en-suite consists of a walk in double shower cubicle with mains shower, marble terrazzo wash hand basin within a solid teak vanity unit and WC. Bedroom 3 is double room with garden view. Bedroom 4 is a double bedroom with a built in cupboard providing tank storage. The family bathroom has a freestanding bath , shower cubicle with mains shower, marble terrazzo wash hand basin on a wall hung solid teak vanity unit and WC. The master bedroom walk in wardrobe has access to an insulated loft space.