Renters’ Rights Act 2025: What it means for tenants
From 1 May 2026, the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 gives private renters new rights and introduces stronger rules for landlords. These changes affect tenants in assured or assured shorthold tenancies in the private rented sector. Social housing tenants and lodgers are usually not affected.
Key points:
- No more fixed-term tenancies: Most private tenancies automatically become rolling tenancies. You can stay in your home until you or your landlord follow the legal process to end it.
- No ‘no-fault’ evictions: Section 21 evictions will be abolished. Landlords must now give a valid legal reason to evict.
- Rent protections: Rent increases are limited to once per year and must follow the legal process. Large rent payments in advance and rental bidding are banned.
- Pet requests: Landlords must consider requests to keep pets and cannot refuse unreasonably.
- Discrimination is banned: Landlords cannot refuse a tenant because they have children or receive benefits.
