The Renters' Rights Act 2025 is the biggest change to England's private rented sector in almost 40 years.

From 1 May 2026, there are complex new rules at every stage of a tenancy, with significant penalties for landlords who get it wrong. This book shows you how to get it right.

Written by Suzanne Smith, a hands-on portfolio landlord who is also a former corporate solicitor, The Good Landlord Handbook is a practical guide to letting and managing rental property in England under the Renters' Rights Act.

Covering single lets, HMOs and high rent tenancies, it takes you through each stage of a tenancy, combining clear, actionable guidance on compliance with real-world advice on handling the tricky issues that every landlord faces.

What's inside

The book is structured around the lifecycle of a tenancy, with the Renters' Rights Act woven into every chapter:

• Foundations: The business of being a landlord, Making Tax Digital, a plain-English overview of the Renters' Rights Act, key legal obligations, and how to work with (or without) letting agents.

• Before the tenancy: Getting a property ready to let, EPCs, setting rent under the new rules, finding and vetting tenants, setting up a compliant tenancy, and checking tenants in.

• During the tenancy: Property management for single lets and HMOs, self-managing, managing agents, handling repairs, damp and mould, subletting, pets, inspections, rent increases, and rent arrears.

• Ending the tenancy: The end of Section 21, the revamped Section 8 grounds for possession, serving notices, recovering possession, deposit returns, and everything in between.

• With over 100 footnotes for those who want to dig deeper, plus extensive appendices covering legislation, civil penalties, implementation timelines and further resources, this is a book you'll keep coming back to.

Praise for 'The Good Landlord Handbook'

"Suzanne Smith's 'The Good Landlord Handbook' is a timely and indispensable resource for property owners navigating the complexities of the new legislation. In a landscape where landlord responsibilities are more scrutinised than ever, this book is a guiding light and a must-read for anyone feeling overwhelmed by the Renters' Rights Act."
Ben Yarrow, Marks out of Tenancy

"This book is one that every landlord should have and use as a reference - a true 'landlording bible'. This book is balanced, practical and refreshingly straight-talking with detailed source references for those who like to geek out."
Patricia Ogunfeibo, tenant2owner

"Suzanne has written a must-have reference manual suitable for the new world landlords find themselves in in 2026; meticulously referenced and researched, no stone is left unturned. A must-read - including the appendices!"
Adam Lawrence, Propenomix

Much more than a compliance manual

This book doesn't just tell you what the rules are. It explains what the new regime means in practice, and how to provide a genuinely good service for tenants at every stage of a tenancy.
Being a good landlord is good for tenants and good business.

Whether you're an experienced landlord, just starting out, a letting agent, or other property professional, this is the practical handbook you need.

About the author

Suzanne Smith is a former corporate solicitor with 25 years' experience, including 12 years as General Counsel. She is a hands-on portfolio landlord and founder of The Independent Landlord, where she helps landlords and property professionals navigate the private rented sector through her blog, YouTube channel and membership community. She also sits as an independent lay member on Propertymark's disciplinary panel.

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• Print Length: 354 Pages
• File Size: 743 KB