Renters’ Rights Act 2025

For anyone letting or renting a home in England, the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 changes the ground rules on both sides. “No-fault” evictions go, fixed-term tenancies give way to rolling periodic ones, rent can rise no more than once a year, and a new ombudsman and a landlord database arrive. The main changes started on 1 May 2026, and the rest follow in stages.

Landlord or tenant, the Act reaches you either way. What follows is the short version; the buttons above lead to a fuller guide written for each side.

At a glance

• No more Section 21 evictions: a landlord seeking possession must rely on a specific legal ground under Section 8.
• Most tenancies are now periodic: fixed terms ended on 1 May 2026, including on existing tenancies, and a tenant can leave on two months’ notice.
• One rent increase per year: not in the first year, at market rate, on two months’ written notice, and open to challenge at tribunal.
• No rental bidding: the asking rent in the advert is the most that can be agreed.
• No blanket bans on benefits or children: discriminatory policies such as “No DSS” or “No Children” are illegal.
• Right to request a pet: a landlord cannot refuse unreasonably.
• Decent Homes Standard & Awaab’s Law: stronger standards covering damp, mould and repair, with the Decent Homes Standard applying to private rentals from 2035.
• New Ombudsman & Landlord Database: registration for landlords from December 2026, and independent dispute resolution from 2028.
• Penalties up to £40,000: where breaches are serious or repeated.
• Limits on rent in advance: no more than one month’s rent, and only after the tenancy agreement is signed and before the tenancy starts.

I’m a landlord

For landlords and portfolio owners: the new compliance duties, the revised grounds for possession, and how to get ready for each phase.

Read the landlord guide

I’m a tenant

A plain-English guide for renters: the stronger rights you have, how they work day to day, and what to do when something isn’t right.

Read the tenant guide

This is general guidance, not legal advice. The Renters’ Rights Act’s main changes started on 1 May 2026 and later stages are still being brought in, so for your own circumstances please take advice from a solicitor. Last updated: September 2026.