Landlord law comes with its own vocabulary, and much of it changed on 1 May 2026 when the Renters’ Rights Act took effect in England. This glossary explains the terms you will meet most often, in plain English, with a link to our full guide on each one. Terms are grouped by topic; use the quick links to jump to a section.
Tenancies and possession
Assured periodic tenancy
The standard private tenancy in England since 1 May 2026. It rolls on from month to month (or week to week) with no fixed end date. The tenant can leave with two months’ notice; the landlord can only end it using a Section 8 ground. Existing tenancies converted automatically. See our Renters’ Rights Act guide.
Assured shorthold tenancy (AST)
The main private tenancy type in England before 1 May 2026, usually with a fixed term of six or twelve months and ended with a Section 21 notice. All ASTs became assured periodic tenancies on that date, and new ones can no longer be created. See our tenancy agreements guide.
Section 21 notice
The old “no-fault” eviction notice. It was abolished in England from 1 May 2026; the last day to serve one was 30 April 2026, and the window to start court action on an old notice closed on 31 July 2026. Serving one now has no effect and can lead to a fine. See is Section 21 still valid?
Section 8 notice and grounds for possession
The notice a landlord serves to start possession proceedings, relying on one or more grounds set out in the Housing Act 1988. Mandatory grounds mean the court must order possession if the ground is proved; discretionary grounds mean the court decides whether eviction is reasonable. See our Section 8 grounds guide and how to evict a tenant lawfully.
Ground 1 and Ground 1A
Mandatory grounds for a landlord (or close family member) to move in (Ground 1) or to sell (Ground 1A). Both need four months’ notice and cannot be used in the first 12 months of a tenancy, and you cannot re-let for 12 months afterwards. See how to sell a rental property with tenants.
Ground 8 (rent arrears)
The mandatory rent arrears ground. At least three months’ rent (13 weeks if paid weekly or fortnightly) must be owed both when notice is served and at the hearing, with four weeks’ notice. Grounds 10 and 11 are discretionary arrears grounds. See our rent arrears guide.
Section 13 notice
The prescribed form (Form 4A) for increasing the rent on an assured tenancy. Rent can rise once a year with two months’ notice, and the tenant can ask the First-tier Tribunal to set the market rent. See our Section 13 guide.
First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber)
The tribunal that decides rent challenges, some licensing appeals and rent repayment orders. It cannot set a rent higher than the landlord proposed in a Section 13 notice.
Deposits, rent and fees
Tenancy deposit protection
A deposit must be protected in one of three government-approved schemes (DPS, mydeposits or TDS) within 30 days of receipt. Failing to do so can cost one to three times the deposit and blocks possession on most grounds. See our deposit protection guide.
Prescribed information
The set details about the deposit and the scheme that must be given to the tenant, and anyone who paid the deposit for them, within 30 days.
Deposit cap
The Tenant Fees Act limit on deposits: five weeks’ rent where the annual rent is under £50,000, six weeks’ where it is £50,000 or more. A holding deposit is capped separately at one week’s rent.
Rent in advance
Since 1 May 2026, landlords in England cannot require more than one month’s rent before the tenancy starts.
Rental bidding
Inviting or accepting offers above the advertised rent. Banned in England since 1 May 2026; adverts must state a fixed rent. See how to set the right rent.
Permitted payments
The only payments a landlord or agent can take from a tenant under the Tenant Fees Act 2019, such as rent, a capped deposit, a capped holding deposit and some default fees. See what fees landlords can charge.
Guarantor
A third party, often a parent, who agrees in a deed of guarantee to cover the tenant’s rent and other obligations if they default. Common for students. See getting a guarantor.
Right to Rent
The legal requirement for landlords in England to check that every adult occupier has the right to rent in the UK before the tenancy starts. See how to do Right to Rent checks.
Safety and standards
Gas safety record (CP12)
The certificate from the annual gas safety check by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Tenants must get a copy within 28 days of the check, and new tenants before they move in. See our gas safety guide.
EICR
Electrical Installation Condition Report: an inspection of the fixed wiring by a qualified electrician at least every five years. See our electrical safety guide.
EPC
Energy Performance Certificate: rates a home’s energy efficiency from A to G and is valid for ten years. You must have one before marketing a let.
MEES
Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards: rented homes currently need an EPC of E or above, rising to C for all tenancies by 1 October 2030 under the government’s plans. See our EPC requirements guide.
HHSRS
Housing Health and Safety Rating System: the method councils use to assess 29 hazards in a home, from damp and mould to falls and fire, and decide whether to take enforcement action.
Fitness for human habitation
The duty under the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 to keep a rented home fit to live in at the start and throughout the tenancy. Tenants can take the landlord to court if it is not. See our fitness for habitation guide.
Decent Homes Standard
A minimum standard for the condition of homes that already applies to social housing. The Renters’ Rights Act allows it to be applied to private rentals; the details and start date are still to be set.
Awaab’s Law
Legal deadlines for investigating and fixing serious hazards such as damp and mould. It has applied to social housing since 27 October 2025; the government is consulting on extending it to private rentals, with 2027 as the earliest start. See Awaab’s Law and the Decent Homes Standard and our damp and mould guide.
Licensing and registration
HMO
House in Multiple Occupation: a property let to three or more people forming more than one household who share facilities. Large HMOs (five or more people) need a mandatory licence, and councils can license smaller ones. See our HMO licensing guide.
Selective licensing
A council scheme requiring landlords in a designated area to license ordinary rented homes, not just HMOs. See our selective licensing fees by council table, and check your council’s postcode checker before letting.
PRS Database (landlord register)
The new government register of private landlords and rented homes in England. Registration opens region by region from 15 December 2026, costs £65 a year per property, and all landlords must be registered by 15 November 2027. See our registration guide.
Private Rented Sector Landlord Ombudsman
A redress scheme that private landlords will have to join so tenants can escalate complaints. The government has named the Housing Ombudsman Service to run it; the start date and fee are still to be announced.
Tax
Finance cost relief (Section 24)
Individual landlords cannot deduct mortgage interest from rental income; instead they get a tax credit at the basic rate. Limited companies can still deduct finance costs in full. See using a limited company for buy-to-let.
Making Tax Digital (MTD)
HMRC’s requirement to keep digital records and send quarterly updates. It applies to landlords and sole traders with qualifying income over £50,000 from April 2026, £30,000 from April 2027 and £20,000 from April 2028. See our Making Tax Digital guide.
Non-Resident Landlord Scheme
An HMRC scheme for landlords who live abroad: the letting agent or tenant deducts basic-rate tax from the rent unless HMRC approves the landlord to receive rent gross and pay through Self Assessment. See managing a rental remotely.
Capital gains tax (CGT)
Tax on the gain when you sell a rental property: 18% or 24% for residential property, after the annual exempt amount, reported and paid within 60 days of completion. See our capital gains tax guide.
Compiled by The Landlords Portal Team and checked in November 2026. Applies to England unless stated. General information, not legal or tax advice.