After a number of years campaigning the Renters’ Rights Bill has finally become law. The Renters’ Rights Act coming into full force on 1 May 2026 will provide greater benefits to renters with a fairer renting system. We set out the key changes below:
End of No-Fault Evictions
Landlords can no longer use Section 21 notices to end tenancies and must now use specific grounds to evict like selling the property.
Periodic Tenancies
Fixed-term contracts are replaced by rolling, periodic tenancies, allowing tenants to leave with two months’ notice at any time.
Rental Discrimination Ban
Landlords cannot implement blanket bans on renting to families with children or individuals receiving benefits.
Pet Rights
Tenants gain the right to request a pet, which landlords cannot unreasonably refuse.
Rent Control
Rents can only be increased once per year using a Section 13 notice. Rent increases must be at market rate and require 2 months’ notice.
Ending Bidding Wars
Landlords and agents are prohibited from encouraging or accepting offers higher than the advertised rent.
Quality Standards
The “Decent Homes Standard” is applied to the private rented sector. A new legal standard, “Awaab’s Law,” will apply, requiring hazards like mold and damp to be fixed within specified, tight timeframes.
New Protections
A national Landlord Ombudsman and a new Private Rented Sector Database will be established to resolve disputes and hold landlords accountable.
Rent in Advance
Restrictions will prevent landlords from requiring excessive rent up front. Requests for rent to be paid in advance are limited to a maximum of one month.
Safety Requirements
Landlords are required to provide gas safety certificates and Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICR).
These reforms aim to provide tenants with greater security and better-quality housing, with enforcement, including potential fines of up to £7,000 for violations like illegal evictions, managed by local authorities. Criminal prosecutions with unlimited fines are also possible for severe non-compliance.
For advice relating to issues of Landlord and Tenants, please contact Lee Pashen on leep@cplaw.co.uk or 0345 241 3100.
This article is written as a general guide and should not be taken as containing legal advice.
