Did you know that UK consumers spend an estimated £1.6 billion each year on unwanted subscriptions?   

Subscription services remain a staple of UK consumer habits, with 49% of adults regularly paying for just entertainment platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Spotify. 

Most of us fall into the trap of 'streamflation' which is subscribing to more platforms than we use. It raises an important question - are these intentional renewals, or simply forgotten trials that are still billing your account? 

From Spring 2026, the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act (DMCCA) will clamp down on so-called “subscription traps” and introduce strict new rules on how subscriptions are sold, renewed, and cancelled.

With fines of up to 10% of global turnover, this is not a box-ticking exercise. It is a fundamental shift in how subscriptions must work.

Below, we explain what this means for both businesses and consumers and how to protect your position.

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If You Are a Business: What You Must Do Now

The DMCCA puts transparency and fairness at the heart of subscription models. Compliance starts before the customer even clicks “buy”.

1. Get Pre-Contract Information Right

You must clearly display “Key Information” upfront, without hiding it in terms and conditions. This includes:

• Price and billing frequency
• Length of commitment
• Minimum total cost
• How and when customers can cancel

No more burying critical terms behind hyperlinks.

2. Send Mandatory Renewal Reminders

The “set it and forget it” model is over. You must now:

• Send reminders at least every six months for rolling contracts
• Issue specific notices before annual renewals
• Notify customers before free trials or introductory rates end

Miss these, and you risk regulatory action.

3. Respect Enhanced Cooling-Off Rights

Customers will have:

• 14 days from the start of service
• A new 14-day period after major renewals or trials

You must be ready to process refunds, including pro-rata refunds where applicable.

4. Build an “Easy-Exit” System

Cancelling must be as simple as signing up.

• Aim for “two clicks in, two clicks out”
• Remove manipulative “save” journeys
• Keep exit surveys optional

If your cancellation process frustrates users, it may be unlawful.

5. Understand the Enforcement Risk

The Competition and Markets Authority now has strong powers, including:

• Fines up to 10% of global turnover
• Forced mass refunds
• Binding compliance orders

Early audits and legal reviews are essential.

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If You Are a Consumer: Know Your Rights

From 2026, subscriptions must work in your favour, not against you.

You have the right to:

1. Clear Information Before You Buy

You must be told upfront:

• Exactly what you will pay
• How long you are committing
• How to cancel

If this information is hidden or unclear, the business may be in breach.

2. Regular Renewal Warnings

You should receive reminders before:

• Long-term renewals
• Trial periods ending
• Price changes

No more “surprise” charges.

3. Cooling-Off Protection

You can change your mind:

• Within 14 days of starting
• After certain renewals or trials

This includes a right to refunds in many cases.

4. Simple Cancellation

If you joined online, you must be able to leave online, quickly and easily.
Long phone queues, hidden buttons, or pressure tactics may be unlawful.

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Trapped in a Subscription? Your Remedies

If you believe you are stuck in a subscription trap, take action:

Step 1: Cancel in Writing

Use the company’s online system or email. Keep screenshots and records.

Step 2: Request a Refund

If rules were breached (no reminders, unclear pricing, difficult exit), ask for a refund and refer to the DMCCA.

Step 3: Raise a Formal Complaint

Submit a written complaint to the business and request escalation.

Step 4: Contact Your Bank

You may be able to stop payments and recover funds through chargeback or direct debit guarantees.

Step 5: Report to Regulators

You can complain to Trading Standards or the CMA if practices appear unfair.

Step 6: Get Legal Advice

Where losses are significant, legal action may be appropriate.

Professional advice can help you recover money and stop unlawful practices.

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Final Word: Compliance Is an Opportunity

The 2026 DMCCA is not just a regulatory hurdle. It is a chance to build trust, reduce complaints, and improve customer loyalty.

For businesses, transparency now equals competitive advantage. 

For consumers, the balance of power is finally shifting.

For over thirty years, Section 21 of the Housing Act 1988 provided a streamlined, non-mechanism for landlords to recover possession of residential property. Its impending abolition on 01 May 2026 represents a fundamental shift in the relationship between landlords and tenants. The central question facing practitioners and investors alike is whether this reform truly destabilises property rights, or merely demands a more rigorous, evidence-based approach to asset management.

From Administrative Process to Judicial Proof

Under the legacy Section 21 regime, possession was largely an administrative exercise. Provided the landlord had complied with prescribed requirements, such as the service of a valid Gas Safety Certificate, Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), and the "How to Rent" guide, the court’s role was purely procedural.

The new framework replaces this with a mandatory reliance on Section 8 grounds. To recover a property, a landlord must now navigate a system where every possession claim is, in essence, a mini-trial. The court is no longer checking a checklist; it is weighing evidence.  

The Strengthening of Section 8

To mitigate the loss of "no-fault" evictions, the government has overhauled the grounds for possession under Schedule 2 of the Housing Act 1988. Solicitors must now focus on these key mandatory pillars:  

• Ground 1A (Intent to Sell): This is a critical new addition. It allows a landlord to regain possession if they genuinely intend to sell the property. However, this cannot be used within the first six months of a tenancy, preventing it from becoming a "Section 21 lite" loophole.

• Revised Ground 1 (Occupation): The right for a landlord or their close family to move into the property has been clarified and strengthened.

• Mandatory Rent Arrears (Ground 8): While the threshold remains largely the same, the procedural requirements for serving notice have become more exacting to prevent technical challenges at the hearing stage.

The Threat of the Strategic Counterclaim

From a landlord’s perspective, the primary risk of this new era is the rise of the disrepair defence. Under Section 21, the tenant could stall proceedings if the landlord’s paperwork was not in order. Under Section 8, particularly in cases of rent arrears, tenants are increasingly incentivised to raise counter-claims under Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985.

By alleging that the landlord has failed in their repairing obligations, a tenant can potentially offset arrears or persuade a judge that a possession order would be "unreasonable" under discretionary grounds. This transforms a simple debt recovery matter into a protracted, multi-track litigation process.

Conclusion: The Era of the "Professional Landlord"

The abolition of Section 21 is not a fatal blow, but it is the end of "casual" landlording. The future belongs to those who maintain meticulous records and engage in rigorous pre-tenancy due diligence. Success in the post-Section 21 market will be defined by evidentiary readiness.

Landlords must ensure that every repair request is logged, every inspection is documented, and every communication is archived. In this new legal reality, the absence of a "no-fault" exit means that the quality of your documentation is now as important as the quality of your property.