Your rights under the Renters’ Rights Act
New legal protections for private tenants are being introduced across England from 1 May 2026. The changes aim to make renting in the private sector fairer, more secure, and easier to understand.
What is changing
The Renters’ Rights Act brings in rules that strengthen your rights throughout the rental process. This includes when you are searching for a property, while you live at a property, and the way you or your landlord can end a tenancy.
Bidding and rent in advance
Landlords and letting agents must advertise a single rent price and cannot ask for or accept higher offers.
After signing a tenancy agreement, you can be asked to pay a maximum of one month’s rent in advance.
Protection against discrimination
Landlords and letting agents cannot withhold information, or refuse to let you view or rent a property because you have children or receive benefits.
Periodic tenancies introduced
Fixed-term tenancies (often 6 to 12 month contracts) will no longer exist. Your tenancy will be on a monthly rolling basis and have no end date.
This means you will be able to stay in your property until you decide to end the tenancy or your landlord serves a valid notice to end it.
Limit on rent rises
Your landlord can only increase your rent once in a 12 month period and you must be given 2 months’ notice. This must be done in writing using a Section 13 notice.
If you believe the proposed increase is too high, you can challenge it at a First-tier Tribunal. You cannot be evicted for challenging a rent increase.
Keeping pets
You have the right to ask to keep pets in your home. Your landlord must consider the request reasonably and reply in writing within 28 days.
A landlord may still refuse the request if it is not deemed reasonable or there are legal issues preventing pets in the property. You can challenge the decision in court.
End of Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions
Your landlord cannot evict you for no reason. They must have a legally valid reason and use an updated Section 8 notice.
Reasons for legal eviction, known as ‘grounds for possession’, include:
- your landlord wanting to move into the property
- your landlord wanting to sell the property
- you owing rent
- you having broken other terms of your tenancy
- you having damaged the property
- you having committed antisocial behaviour
Landlords must give at least the minimum notice for the grounds they are using.
Full list of grounds for possession (GOV.UK).
Ending your tenancy
If you want to end your tenancy you must give at least 2 months’ notice unless a shorter notice period is agreed in writing with your landlord.
Your landlord can only end the tenancy by serving a valid notice and, if needed, going to court.
It is a criminal offence for your landlord to attempt to force you out of a property without following the legal process. This can include verbal requests to leave, changing the locks, using threats and intimidation, removing your belongings or cutting off utilities.
Report a concern
If you think your landlord or letting agent is not following the new rules, you can report a concern to us on psechousing@southlgos.gov.uk or phone 01454 864503.
Support and advice
If you need urgent help or believe you are being forced out of your home illegally:
- visit our HomeChoice team at the Kingswood One Stop Shop, Monday to Friday, 9am to 12.30pm
- phone 01454 868005
Other organisations that can provide support and advice include:
If you are being forced out of your home immediately, call 999 and ask for police assistance.
Future changes
Further protections for renters and home quality standards for the private rented sector are set to be introduced in the coming years.
Private Rented Sector Database
A new national Private Rented Sector Database is being introduced and rolled out regionally from late 2026. Tenants will be able to check that their landlord and the property they rent is properly registered.
Landlord Ombudsman
An independent Landlord Ombudsman is being established to give tenants an easier and more accessible way to resolve complaints without the need to go to court. This is expected to launch in full in 2028.
Decent Homes Standard and Awaab’s Law
The Decent Homes Standard will ensure that all private rented sector properties meet a minimum standard of housing quality. We will be able to take action against landlords whose properties fail to meet the standard.
Awaab’s Law, currently only applicable to the social housing sector, will be extended to the private rented sector. This will mean that landlords must fix damp, mould, and other serious hazards within set timeframes.