Residential Landlord and Tenant Update 2026

KEY SUBJECTS

• POSSESSION AFTER THE RENTERS’ RIGHTS ACT
• THE RENTER’S RIGHTS ACT: OTHER CHANGES
• LEASEHOLD, FREEHOLD AND COMMONHOLD UPDATE
• THE GREAT SERVICE CHARGE SHAKE UP
• RECENT LANDLORD AND TENANT CASE LAW: PRACTICAL GUIDANCE FOR PRACTITIONERS

SPEAKERS

David Smith, Partner, Spector Constant & Williams

Mari Knowles, Solicitor, Commonhold and Leasehold Experts Limited

James Fieldsend, Barrister, Tanfield Chambers

Tom Morris, Barrister, Landmark Chambers

PROGRAMME

9.30am CHAIRMAN’S INTRODUCTION

POSSESSION AFTER THE RENTERS’ RIGHTS ACT

The Renters’ Rights Act makes radical changes to the possession regime for Housing Act 1988 tenancies, removing s21 and creating a whole raft of new grounds for possession. This session will explore the new possession options and their practical effects including:

• Some of the new grounds for possession
• Tenant notice and how to use it
• Restrictions on possession

David Smith, Partner, Spector Constant & Williams

THE RENTER’S RIGHTS ACT: OTHER CHANGES

The Renters’ Rights ACT (RRA) completely changes the profile of the Private Rented Sector and has knock on effects elsewhere as well. This talk will look at all the other aspects of the RRA including:

• What tenancies look like
• Other regulatory requirements
• Repairs
• Investigations and Enforcement
• Discrimination
• New long lease exemptions

 David Smith, Partner, Spector Constant & Williams

LEASEHOLD, FREEHOLD AND COMMONHOLD UPDATE

This session will consider the proposed leasehold, freehold and commonhold reforms, exploring the next steps and key considerations to think about now. The session will include:

• Implementation of Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024
• Draft Leasehold and Commonhold Reform Bill
• The consultations so far
• Fire and building safety update
• Net zero update

Mari Knowles, Solicitor, Commonhold and Leasehold Experts Limited

THE GREAT SERVICE CHARGE SHAKE UP

This talk will review statutory and case law developments with respect to the recovery of residential service charges. Topics to be covered will include regulation of charges currently in force under the Building Safety Act 2022, forthcoming regulation under that Act and how unsatisfactory provisions with respect to the recovery of expenditure under existing contractual lease arrangements might be addressed. 

• Existing control of service charges under the BSA: the legislation and recent case law
• Future changes to the control of service charges under the BSA: the legislation and Government consultation
• Varying the lease: the legislative framework under Part IV of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1987 and recent case law.

 James Fieldsend, Barrister, Tanfield Chambers 

RECENT LANDLORD AND TENANT CASE LAW: PRACTICAL GUIDANCE FOR PRACTITIONERS

This talk will review the last year’s key landlord and tenant appeals and give practical tips to practitioners on how to avoid legal potholes.

• How do landlords ensure notices are served?
• How can landlords act contractually reasonably?
• When is a live/work unit within the service charge acts?
• What is s.19 reasonable under a long-term contract?
• How many gas safety records must a landlord serve?
• Deposit protection certificates: what is non-compliance?
• Mesne profits against trespassing landlords: how are they calculated?

 Tom Morris, Barrister, Landmark Chambers

5.00 pm CLOSE OF PROCEEDINGS