Renter’s Rights Act Comes in to force!

April 30, 2026

From 1st May, the Renters Rights Act 2025 comes into force!

The act is intended to give tenants, in particular those renting from private landlords, greater stability and stronger rights. It is hoped that the measures in the Act will help reduce rates of homelessness.

The first phase of changes made by the Renters’ Rights Act comes into effect on the 1st May 2026 and primarily affects the private rented sector in England but will also apply to supported housing, depending on the landlord and accommodation type.

What are the main changes?

  • Section 21 evictions abolished: Tenants can no longer be given ‘no fault evictions’. Landlords must serve a ‘Section 8’ notice that includes ‘grounds’ for the eviction. When this notice expires, they then must apply for a possession order, and when this order expires they must apply for a bailiff’s warrant.
  • No more fixed terms: All assured tenancies will now be rolling, even if a fixed term was signed before May 1st. Tenants can serve 2 months notice, or negotiate with the landlord, to leave a rolling contract. Unfortunately, it will still be easy to evict students living in student accommodation.
  • Less rent increases: Previously, tenants were forced to pay rent increases or face no-fault evictions. Now, if the landlord wants to increase the rent they must serve a ‘Section 13’ notice, and the tenant can take it to a tribunal that will set it at market rent.
  • Easier to use rent tribunals: Tenants were reluctant to use tribunals previously because the tribunal could set rent higher than the landlord had asked for, and this increase was backdated. Now, tribunals will set rent at what the landlord has asked for (if market rent is higher) or market rent (if the landlord asked for more than this), and the increase rent is only due from the date of the tribunal decision.
  • No more bidding wars: Landlords cannot ask for or accept bids above the advertised rent price.
  • Easier to live with pets: Landlords can only refuse pets if they have a ‘valid’ reason.

How will this affect social housing providers? 

  • For private registered providers of social housing offering assured social housing tenancies, these changes will not impact you until October 2027.
  • For those offering assured tenancies who are not registered providers of social housing, or PRPs who are offering non-social assured tenancies, the changes will effect you from 1st may.
  • On 1st May Homelesslink are hosting a webinar for Supported Housing Providers, we will provide that link here once it is ready.

 

If you manage any ‘assured’ or ‘assured shorthold’ tenancies then you must provide each named tenant with a PDF or printed copy of The Renter’s Rights Act Information Sheet . You must do this before 31st May 2026 or you could be fined £7000.

Where can I learn more about these changes?

How do I get support with these changes? 

For members of our network, feel free to email your named point of contact or [email protected] for support.

For those outside of our network who are government agencies, CABs and Charitable or Voluntary organisations, you can contact the Expert Housing Advice Service within Shelter.