The Renters Rights Act 2025, coming into force on the 1st May 2026 marks a major shift in how private renting works in England. It is designed to give tenants more protection and standardise practices across the private rental sector.
Here’s what you need to know:
- No Fault evictions are abolished; this means that landlords can no longer evict tenants using Section 21 of the Housing Act. Going forward, landlords will need to provide a valid reason for their eviction, such as rent arrears or a breach of the tenancy agreement.
- Periodic Tenants become the default; this means that Fixed Term assured Shorthold Tenancies are replaced with rolling (periodic) tenancies. As a result, tenants can leave with notice at any time, with 2 months’ notice and landlords can only end tenancies using valid legal grounds.
- Initial protection for tenants; to strengthen tenant security, tenants will have a 12 month period protected period at the start of their tenancy whereby they cannot be evicted, even if the landlord wishes to move in or sell the property.
- Introduces new grounds for possession; for example, whether a landlord’s spouse or family member requires the property as their main residence.
- Limited rent increases; rent increases will be limited to once per year and must reflect market rates. Tenants can challenge unfair increases at a tribunal.
- New protections against discrimination; this means that it will become illegal for Landlords to refuse tenants simply because, for example, they have children or receive benefits.
- Ban on rental bidding wars; landlords and agents cannot encourage or accept offers above the advertised amount.
- Prohibit unreasonable denial of tenant requests to have a pet; Tenants have the right to request that they can have a pet at the property, and Landlords must not unreasonably refuse.
- New Landlord Ombudsman; All landlords must join a redress scheme, giving tenants a clearer route to resolve disputes without having to go straight to court.
- Establish a decent home standard; meaning that Landlords can be prosecuted or receive a civil penalty for failing to address serious hazards.
Overall, the Act is a significant and welcome step forward, but its success will ultimately depend on how effectively it operates in practice. For tenants’ understanding and confidently exercising these rights will be key.
If you have rented a property in the last 6 years, and your landlord has failed to protect your Tenancy Deposit, you may be entitled to compensation. Get in touch with PR Scully & Co for a free initial consultation on 0161 667 8260 or email us at info@prscully.com