The law is finally changing for the private rented sector, bringing greater security for millions of tenants.
After years of campaigning, the Renters’ Rights Act finally became law on 27 October 2025.
Many of the changes to tenancies and renters’ rights will become active from 1 May 2026, to give landlords and local authorities time to prepare.
Some of the key changes to look forward to include:
End of Section 21 evictions
This means that landlords will no longer be able to evict a tenant without a reason using a Section 21 notice, so you’ll have more security in your tenancy. It means you can live with less fear that your landlord will evict you because you complained about an issue, or requested repairs.
However, new grounds for possession will be introduced. These are legitimate reasons a landlord can use to take possession of your home (i.e. to evict you), and will now include when a landlord is moving into the property, or selling it. Landlords won’t be able to use these grounds in the first 12 months of a tenancy, and will need to provide 4 months’ notice when using these grounds.
All tenancies become indefinite
This means that all existing and new tenancies will become ‘periodic’ or rolling, so they go on indefinitely, until you decide to end the tenancy by giving two months’ notice (or you are legally evicted). There will be no new fixed-term tenancies, and any existing fixed-term tenancies will become periodic from 1 May 2026. This means you won’t be stuck in a tenancy where you have to continue renting a property that isn’t up to standard, or no longer suits your needs.
Easier to challenge a rent increase
Tenants already have the right to challenge an unreasonable rent increase at the first-tier tribunal, but under the current rules, this process is very risky – you might end up with a rent that’s even more expensive than what your landlord proposed. The rent increase could also be backdated to when the landlord proposed it, even if the tribunal determination is only made many months later, putting tenants at risk of serious financial strain or debt.
Under the new system, these risks are significantly lowered. A landlord has to use a formal process called a Section 13 notice in order to raise your rent, and they can only use this once a year, in line with ‘market rates’. If you decide to challenge the increase, the maximum rent increase that the tribunal can determine is what your landlord proposed. The new rent will also only apply from the date of the tribunal’s determination, rather than being backdated.
Limits to rent in advance
Landlords will only be allowed to demand 1 month’s rent in advance, rather than the unlimited amount they are currently allowed to request. This will help prevent situations where renters are trapped in unsuitable tenancies because they have paid in advance, or situations where prospective tenants have to compete with one another by offering huge sums of rent upfront.
Ending rental discrimination
Landlords and letting agents will not be able to discriminate against tenants who have children or receive benefits. They won’t be able to use these as reasons to withold information about a property, prevent someone from viewing, or grant a tenancy.
You can still be required to pass an affordability check, but landlords must consider all forms of income equally, and can’t use the fact you have children, or receive benefits as a reason to refuse you if you’ve proven you can meet their income requirements.
Ban on bidding wars
Landlords and letting agents will no longer be able to allow bidding wars on rentals. They will only be able to publish a single asking rent for a property, and can’t ask for, encourage, or accept any bids above this price.
Renting with pets
If you want to keep a pet, you will be able to ask your landlord for permission and they won’t be able to refuse you without a legitimate reason. Your landlord will be able to keep money from your deposit to cover any repairs needed because of damage caused by your pet.
These changes will come from 1 May 2026. Until then, your tenancy rights remain the same.
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