England · updated November 2026

Landlord glossary

The words that come up when you let a home in England, each in a sentence or two, with a link to the page that goes into more detail.

Assured periodic tenancy (APT)

The standard private tenancy in England since 1 May 2026. It rolls from one rent period to the next with no fixed term, the tenant can end it with two months' notice, and the landlord can only end it on a Section 8 ground. Assured shorthold tenancies in place on that date became APTs automatically. Assured periodic tenancies →

Awaab's Law

Deadlines for investigating and fixing hazards such as damp and mould, already in force for social landlords and being extended to private renting by regulations under the Renters' Rights Act. Awaab's Law hazard clock →

Deposit protection

Putting a tenancy deposit in a government-approved scheme and giving the tenant the prescribed information, within 30 days of receiving it in England. Most possession grounds need it done before a Section 8 notice is served. Deposit protection →

EICR

Electrical Installation Condition Report: an electrician's inspection of the fixed wiring, needed at least every five years in a rented home, with a copy to the tenant. Landlord certificates →

Form 3A

The prescribed Section 8 notice since 1 May 2026, setting out the ground or grounds, their full legal wording and the date proceedings can start. Section 8 possession checklist →

Form 4A

The Section 13 notice of a rent increase. At least two months' notice, no more than one increase a year, and the tenant can ask the tribunal to decide the market rent. Section 13 rent increase notice →

Gas safety record (CP12)

The yearly check of gas appliances and flues by a Gas Safe engineer, with a copy to the tenant. A check done in the two months before the current one expires keeps the original expiry date. Landlord certificates →

Ground 1

The mandatory possession ground for a landlord, or close family, moving in. Four months' notice, not ending in the first year of the tenancy, and a restricted period afterwards. Not available to a company landlord. Section 8 ground checker →

Ground 1A

The mandatory possession ground for a landlord who intends to sell. Four months' notice, not ending in the first year, and a restricted period afterwards. Ground 1A: selling →

Ground 8

The mandatory rent arrears ground: at least three months' rent owed both when the notice is served and at the hearing, with four weeks' notice. Ground 8 rent arrears →

HHSRS

Housing Health and Safety Rating System: how councils assess hazards in a home. Simplified to 21 hazards in 2026.

HMO

House in multiple occupation: three or more people from two or more households sharing facilities. Five or more needs a mandatory licence; councils can license smaller ones too. HMO licensing →

Information Sheet

The government document landlords had to give tenants of written tenancies that existed on 1 May 2026, by 31 May 2026, explaining the changes. Not needed for tenancies that began after. The Information Sheet →

Joint and several liability

Where two or more people are named tenants, each is responsible for all of the rent, not just a share. One joint tenant's notice to quit ends the tenancy for all of them. Notice to quit checker →

Landlord Ombudsman

The redress scheme every private landlord in England will have to join, expected from 2028, where tenants can complain for free and decisions bind the landlord. The Landlord Ombudsman →

Mesne profits

Payment for occupying a property after the tenancy has ended. Labelling money received from someone holding over as mesne profits, not rent, avoids it being read as a new tenancy.

Making Tax Digital (MTD)

HMRC's requirement to keep digital records and send quarterly updates, applying to landlords with qualifying income above the threshold, starting from April 2026.

Notice to quit

A tenant's written notice ending the tenancy: at least two months unless a shorter period was agreed in writing, ending at the end of a rent period. A landlord can no longer use one to end an assured tenancy. Notice to quit checker →

Prescribed information

The details about a deposit and its scheme that must go to the tenant, and anyone who paid the deposit for them, within 30 days. Deposit protection →

PRS Database

The landlord and property register for England ("Register your rental property"), rolling out region by region from December 2026 at £65 a property a year. A possession order generally needs an active registration. PRS Database checklist →

Rent repayment order (RRO)

A tribunal order for a landlord to repay up to two years' rent, where certain offences are committed — an unlicensed HMO, unlawful eviction, or misusing a possession ground among them. Rent repayment orders →

Rental bidding

Inviting or accepting offers above the advertised rent. Banned in England since 1 May 2026: the listing must state the rent, and that is the most that can be agreed. Rental bidding ban →

Restricted period

After serving a Ground 1 or 1A notice, the time during which the property can't be let, licensed (for example as a holiday let) or even marketed for letting: from the notice until twelve months after the date it gave, so at least sixteen months. Ground 1A: selling →

Right to rent

The check that every adult who will live in a property is allowed to rent in the UK, made before the tenancy starts, with follow-up checks for anyone whose permission is time-limited.

Section 13

The part of the Housing Act 1988 that sets out how rent is increased: the only route since 1 May 2026, using Form 4A. Section 13 rent increase notice →

Section 21

The no-fault possession notice, abolished in England on 1 May 2026. Section 21 abolition →

Section 24

The rule that an individual landlord can't deduct mortgage interest from rental profit but gets a tax credit instead, at 20% until 2026-27 and 24% from 2027-28. Buy-to-let stress test →

Section 48 notice

The landlord's address in England or Wales for the tenant to serve notices on. Until one has been given, rent is treated as not due. Section 48 notice builder →

Section 8

The route to possession of an assured tenancy, on one of the grounds in the Housing Act 1988. Since Section 21 went, it is the only one. Section 8 ground checker →

Written statement of terms

The prescribed information a landlord must give before a new assured periodic tenancy is agreed — the parties, rent, deposit, how it ends, repair and safety duties, and the tenant's rights on pets and disability adaptations. Usually built into the tenancy agreement. Assured periodic tenancies →

Yield

A year's rent as a percentage of the property's value. Gross yield ignores costs; net yield takes them off first. Rental yield calculator →