Don’t miss the latest news about your rights.
On 1 May 2026, private renters in England got a new set of protections. This includes an end to Section 21 evictions, which means landlords who want their tenant to move out now need to provide a valid reason.
The Renters Rights Act makes the biggest changes to renting for more than 30 years, so even if you know your rights right now, there is a lot to get your head around.
Here is a form to sign up for email updates on the changes as they bed in. Below that is a summary of the changes that came in on 1st May 2026.
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Renting before 1 May 2026
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Renting before 1 May 2026
Section 21 evictions legal. Your landlord could evict you outside a fixed term without giving a reason.
Renting now
Section 21 banned. Landlords must have a valid legal reason to evict you.
Renting before 1 May 2026
Fixed-term contracts standard (typically 6- or 12-months but sometimes longer tenancies), with a set end date.
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All tenancies are rolling (periodic) with no fixed end date.
Renting before 1 May 2026
You usually had to wait until the end of a fixed term to leave the property, or pay a fee.
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You can leave at any time by giving 2 months’ notice.
Renting before 1 May 2026
Your rent could be increased more than once a year and a landlord could threaten a Section 21 eviction if challenged.
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Landlords can only increase rent once a year, and must use a formal Section 13 notice.
Renting before 1 May 2026
Challenging rent increases at Tribunal could result in a rent higher than the landlord proposed, and backdated.
Renting now
When adjudicating rent increases, the Tribunal will not set the rent higher than the landlord proposed, and it will take effect from the date of the Tribunal’s decision.
Renting before 1 May 2026
Rental bidding wars were allowed. Your landlord could accept offers above the advertised price.
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Bidding wars banned. Landlords cannot ask for or accept rent above the advertised price.
Renting before 1 May 2026
Your landlord could demand multiple months’ rent upfront
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Your landlord can only ask you to pay a maximum of 1 month’s rent upfront.
Renting before 1 May 2026
Landlords could refuse tenants who receive benefits or have children.
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Blanket ban on tenant discrimination. It is illegal to refuse tenants because they receive benefits or have kids.
Renting before 1 May 2026
Your landlord could refuse your pets request outright.
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You have the right to request a pet, and your landlord must consider your request fairly.
Renting before 1 May 2026
Limited consequences if landlords misused eviction grounds, e.g. by claiming they wanted to sell but then relisting the home at a higher rent
Renting now
You may be entitled to rent repayment if your landlord fails to follow the rules on evictions, including re-letting the property in the year after evicting you to sell it.