A new era for Solihull’s private rental market
As a landlord in Solihull, you have likely benefited from one of the most stable and premium rental markets in the UK. Properties here are in high demand, attracting high-calibre tenants, from professionals working at the NEC, Jaguar Land Rover, or Birmingham Business Park to families relocating for the area’s outstanding schools.
This stability has, for decades, been underpinned by the Assured Shorthold Tenancy and the use of Section 21.
Now, a significant change is coming. The “Renters’ Rights Act 2025” has passed into law, with its full implementation expected in 2026. This is the biggest shake-up of new landlord legislation in a generation.
It is understandably causing concern, but our guide is here to provide you with clear landlord advice for Solihull to help you navigate the changes confidently.
What is the Renters’ Rights Act? A simple guide
The new Act is designed to give tenants more security. For landlords, this means you must understand two fundamental changes that work together.
One: The end of Section 21 This is the headline change. The Act will completely abolish Section 21, known as the “no-fault” eviction. This was the notice landlords could serve to regain possession of their property at the end of a fixed term without having to give a specific reason.
Two: The end of fixed-term tenancies To support the change above, all new tenancies will become rolling, periodic contracts (month-to-month) from day one. The 6 or 12-month fixed term that you may be used to will no longer be an option for new lets.
This does not mean you are losing control of your property. It simply means the process for regaining possession is changing, moving entirely to the Section 8 grounds.
Your new and strengthened reasons for possession
The new law does not leave you without options. In fact, it strengthens the existing Section 8 process by introducing new, clear-cut reasons for possession.
Selling your rental property
A new mandatory ground is being introduced that allows you to regain possession if you intend to sell. This provides a clear, legal exit route.
- What you must know: To prevent misuse, you will be restricted from re-letting or re-marketing the property for a set period (expected to be 12 months) after using this ground.
Moving into your property
The existing ground (Ground 1) for a landlord or their close family to move into the property is being kept and updated. This remains a mandatory ground, meaning a court must grant possession if your notice is valid.
Dealing with rent arrears or anti-social behaviour
The Act aims to make it easier to deal with problem tenants. The mandatory grounds for serious rent arrears (Ground 8) are being retained. Furthermore, the grounds for anti-social behaviour are being strengthened, with the aim of speeding up the process.
The Solihull challenge: protecting a premium asset
This is the key issue for Renters Rights Act Solihull landlords.
Your challenge is different from that in other towns. You are often not renting a standard buy-to-let; you are renting a high-value family home in a prime school catchment or a luxury apartment.
- The “Old Model”: You were accustomed to 12 or 24-month fixed terms. This gave you security, guaranteed income, and a clear date when you knew your property would be vacant for inspection or re-letting.
- The “New Reality”: Rolling tenancies introduce uncertainty. A tenant could, in theory, hand in their notice at any point.
This makes one thing more critical than ever: professional tenant selection.
Without the “safety net” of Section 21, you can no longer afford to get it wrong. Your vetting process must go deeper than just a credit check. It needs to verify the tenant’s long-term intentions, employment stability, and suitability for your specific property.
How to prepare your Solihull rental for 2026
- Rethink your vetting: As mentioned, your tenant referencing process must be robust. You need to find tenants who are looking for a long-term home, not a short-term stop-gap. This is where professional management from a letting agent who knows the local market is invaluable.
- Prioritise compliance: Under the new system, a small paperwork error (like an out-of-date Gas Safety Certificate or incorrect deposit registration) will invalidate a Section 8 notice. With no Section 21 to fall back on, your compliance must be perfect, 100% of the time.
- Build good relationships: A professional, communicative relationship with your tenant is now your best business tool. Prompt responses to maintenance requests and clear, respectful communication can prevent small issues from becoming large disputes.
Expert landlord advice in Solihull
This new landlord legislation is complex, but you do not have to navigate it alone.
The team at Hunters Solihull lives and breathes the local property market. We understand how to protect your high-value asset and find the high-quality, long-term tenants you expect.
If you have any questions about the end of Section 21 in Solihull or want to discuss how these changes will affect your property, please contact our office for a no-obligation chat.
