If you own a rental property in Birmingham – whether it is a student let in Selly Oak, a city-centre apartment near Brindleyplace, or a family home in Moseley – the rules of the game changed significantly on 1 May 2026. The Renters’ Rights Act is now in force, and it represents the most sweeping reform of England’s private rented sector since 1988.
We know that for many Birmingham landlords, particularly those managing portfolios without professional support, the past few months have felt uncertain. Some landlords have already left the market. But the data tells a more encouraging story for those who choose to stay and adapt – and we are here to help you do exactly that.
At Martin & Co Birmingham City we have been guiding landlords through legislative change for over 30 years. This guide cuts through the complexity and gives you a clear, plain-English picture of what has changed, what it means for your property, and what your next steps should be.
Why this legislation matters for Birmingham landlords right now
Birmingham’s private rented sector is substantial. Average rents in the city now sit between £1,093 and £1,099 per month – up approximately 2.8 to 3.0% year-on-year – reflecting genuine, sustained demand from tenants across the city.
At the same time, available rental stock has fallen by around 10% as some landlords have exited the market in response to the reforms. That reduction in supply, combined with strong demand from Birmingham’s growing population and student community, means landlords who remain are letting properties in a competitive environment.
The average time to let in Birmingham city centre is currently around 35 days. In high-demand postcodes, quality properties are moving faster. Gross yields in areas such as the Jewellery Quarter (7.0–7.2%), Digbeth (6.0–7.3%), and Selly Oak (6.8–7.1%) remain genuinely strong – reinforcing that Birmingham is still one of England’s most viable cities for residential investment.
The key is compliance. Landlords who understand the new rules and operate within them are well positioned. Those who do not risk financial penalties, reputational damage, and legal disputes that could far outweigh the cost of professional management.
What the Renters’ Rights Act actually changed
Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions are abolished.
This is the headline change. From 1 May 2026, landlords in England can no longer serve a Section 21 notice to end a tenancy without providing a legally valid reason. If you need to regain possession of your property – for example, to sell it or move back in – you must now use the Section 8 process and cite one of the specified grounds.
This does not mean you have lost control of your property. It does mean that the process requires more careful management, proper documentation, and – in many cases – professional support to navigate correctly.
All tenancies are now periodic.
Fixed-term tenancies, as we knew them, no longer exist for new agreements. All tenancies are now periodic from the outset, rolling on a month-by-month basis. Existing fixed-term tenancies that were in place before May 2026 have also been converted to periodic tenancies.
For landlords, this means greater flexibility for tenants to give notice – but it also simplifies the tenancy lifecycle and removes the administrative burden of renewal negotiations. With the right management in place, this transition is straightforward.
Rent in advance is capped at one month.
Landlords can no longer request more than one month’s rent in advance. If you have historically used larger upfront payments to mitigate perceived risk from certain tenants, this route is now closed. Instead, robust tenant referencing – the kind Martin & Co Birmingham City carries out using state-of-the-art background checks – becomes even more important in selecting the right occupant from the outset.
Rent reviews now require two months’ written notice.
If you wish to increase the rent on your Birmingham property, you must now give your tenant at least two months’ written notice using the prescribed form. Rent can only be increased once per year, and tenants have the right to challenge any increase they consider above market rate through a tribunal.
This makes transparent, well-evidenced rent reviews essential. Knowing current market rents in areas such as Harborne, Edgbaston, or the Jewellery Quarter – and being able to demonstrate that your proposed increase is reasonable – is critical to avoiding disputes.
Mandatory landlord registration on the Private Rented Sector database
The Act provides for a new Private Rented Sector (PRS) Database, with a phased rollout planned from late 2026. Registration is not yet open in October 2026; landlords should prepare their property and compliance records and check the timetable for their area.
A landlord ombudsman is planned, with mandatory membership in 2028.
The Act provides for a statutory PRS landlord ombudsman, with mandatory landlord membership planned for 2028. It is separate from the database rollout from late 2026. Clear processes, documented communications and consistent compliance will help landlords prepare.
The emotional reality for Birmingham landlords
We want to acknowledge something that data alone does not capture. For landlords who have spent years building a portfolio in Birmingham – perhaps a buy-to-let in Digbeth, a couple of student properties near the University of Birmingham in Selly Oak, or a flat in the city centre – this level of legislative change can feel destabilising.
The loss of Section 21 in particular has prompted genuine anxiety among smaller landlords who worry about their ability to manage difficult situations. That concern is understandable, and we do not dismiss it.
What we can tell you with confidence – based on 30 years of lettings experience and the management of over 41,000 properties across our network – is that the fundamentals of successful landlording have not changed. Good tenants, well-maintained properties, and professional management remain the foundations of a resilient rental investment.
How Martin & Co Birmingham city helps you stay compliant and profitable
At Martin & Co Birmingham City, compliance is not an afterthought – it is central to everything we do. Alongside sales and mortgage advice, our team provides residential lettings and property management, and we have been navigating legislative change on behalf of landlords throughout the city for decades. Our patch includes Birmingham City Centre, the Jewellery Quarter and Digbeth, as well as neighbourhoods such as Handsworth, Great Barr and Erdington, so advice is tailored to where your property sits.
Flexible service options for every type of landlord
We understand that landlords have different needs, different portfolios, and different levels of involvement they want in day-to-day management. That is why we offer four distinct service tiers:
Our premium managed service provides full management with rent and legal protection – giving you guaranteed rental income and no legal bills, even in the event of a dispute. For landlords particularly concerned about the post-Section 21 landscape, this level of cover offers genuine peace of mind.
Our managed service delivers 24/7 maintenance support, compliance oversight, regular property inspections, and a dedicated local point of contact who handles everything on your behalf.
Our Rent Collection service combines tenant finding with monthly rent collection, ideal for landlords who want to remain involved but need professional support with the financial side.
Our Tenant Find service covers comprehensive marketing across the UK’s largest property portals, state-of-the-art tenant background checks, and a legally compliant tenancy agreement – giving you the strongest possible start to any new tenancy.
Compliance you can rely on
We operate government-approved tenancy deposit schemes and hold full client money protection insurance. Every tenancy we manage is handled in accordance with current lettings legislation – including all the changes introduced by the Renters’ Rights Act.
Our team lets 370 new properties every week across the Martin & Co network. That scale means we are constantly working within the current regulatory environment, keeping our knowledge current and our processes sharp.
What Birmingham landlords should do right now
Prepare your property and compliance records for the PRS Database, and follow official guidance on when registration opens and becomes mandatory in your area.
Review your tenancy agreements. If you are managing properties without professional support, ensure your documentation reflects the new periodic tenancy structure and complies with current prescribed forms for rent reviews.
Check your rent review process. Any increases must follow the two-month written notice requirement. If you are unsure whether your current rents are at market level for Birmingham, speak to a local lettings expert who can provide an evidence-based assessment.
Consider whether your current service level is adequate. The post-Renters’ Rights Act environment rewards landlords with professional support and penalises those operating without it. Now is a sensible time to review your arrangements.
Birmingham remains a strong market – for prepared landlords
Despite the reforms, Birmingham’s fundamentals are compelling. The city’s continued growth, its status as a major student destination, ongoing regeneration in areas like Digbeth and the wider city centre, and strong yield performance across established postcodes all point to a market that rewards informed, well-managed investment.
The landlords who will thrive in this environment are those who treat compliance as a competitive advantage – and who have the right professional support behind them.
Martin & Co Birmingham City is here to provide exactly that. Whether you are a first-time landlord with a single property or an experienced investor managing a larger portfolio across the city, our team is ready to help you navigate the Renters’ Rights Act with confidence and without the stress.
Take the next step with confidence
If you would like to understand what your Birmingham property could achieve in the current market, get in touch with Martin & Co Birmingham City for a free, no-obligation rental valuation. Our local team will give you an honest, data-led assessment of your property’s potential – and talk you through the service options that best suit your needs.
Book your free rental valuation today and take the first step towards compliant, hassle-free property management in Birmingham.
Alternatively, contact Martin & Co Birmingham City directly to speak with one of our dedicated lettings experts. We are here to simplify your property journey – without any fuss.
Local expertise. Proven results.
Thinking of selling or letting in Harborne or Edgbaston? Martin & Co agreed 253 sales and lets across B15, B16 and B17 in 2025. Speak to our local team for friendly, expert advice.
