---
title: "Renters’ Rights Act 2026: Key Changes for Landlords and Tenants Explained"
url: https://www.cplaw.co.uk/insights/renters-rights-act-2026-key-changes-for-landlords-and-tenants-explained/
date: 2026-03-06
modified: 2026-03-06
lang: en
author: "Lee Pashen"
description: "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..."
categories:
  - "Property"
image: https://www.cplaw.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Renters-Right-Act-Article-1024x683.jpg
word_count: 348
---

# Renters’ Rights Act 2026: Key Changes for Landlords and Tenants Explained

**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](mailto: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.